TV/R. 

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'KLASUre  ROOtA 


COL.  GEORGE  WASHINGTON  FLOWERS 
MEMORIAL  COLLECTION 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM.  N.  C. 


PRESENTED  BY 
W.  W.  FLOWERS 


SKETCHES 


OF  THE 


GllEAT  BATTLES  IN  1861, 


IN  THE 


Cmrftkrafc  States  of  J^mcria. 


SUMTER,    BETHEL,    MANASSAS,    SPRINGFIELD,    HATTERAS,    LEXING- 
TON, LEESBURG,  PORT  ROYAL,  COLUMBUS  OR  BELMONT. 


ALSO, 


SKETCHES  OF 


JEFFERSON"  DAVIS  AND  A.  H.  STEPHENS. 


BY    T.    N.    RAMSAY, 

NORTH  CAROLINA. 


SALISBURY,  N.  C. 

J.  J.  BRUNER,  PRINTER. 

1801. 


TO  THE  PUBLIC. 


I  hate  prepared  the  following  Sketches  of  the  great  Battles  in  18G1,  from 

the  most  authentic  sources,  but  I  am  aware  they  contain  many  errors.     Tiny 

were  collected  at  a  time  when  our  country  was  in  a  state  of  great  excitement, 

lingg  htm bw  mireprceePted  no  doubt     It  will  take  many  years  to 

it ■v.'nl  all  the  facts  connected  with  the  battles,  and  correct  the  errors.     1  hope 

whatever  is  correct  will  he  accepted,  and  whatever  is  wrong,  will  be  correct- 

ome  future  historian.     I  submit  these  Sketches  to  a  generous  public. 

hoping  they  will  look  over  my  errors,  as  it  is  my  first  attempt  as  a  historian. 

abet  whatever  is  human  is  imperfect. 

T.  N.  RAMSAY. 

-t  Montirc,  N.  C,  Jan.  1,  1861. 


.  7'  I    ? 
! 

SKETCHES  OF  THE  GREAT  BATTLES  IN  1861. 


CAUSES  OF  THE  KE VOLUTION. 

TnE  TEAR  1861,  will  be  memorable  in  all  time  to  come,  in  the  history  of 
our  country.  The  great  Union  of  the  United  States,  which  was  formed  by 
our  forefathers,  and  cemented  by  their  best  blood,  was  dissolved. 

hk!  Confederation  was  established  in  the  South,  composed  of  the  slave- 
holding  States,  and  they,  thus  separated  from  the  Northern  States,  formed  a 
Republic  of  their  own,  under  the  name  of  the  "  Confederate  States  of 
America."  The  Union  of  these  States  then  composed  one  of  the  greatest 
nations  of  the  earth.  The  United  States  was  known  wherever  civilization 
had  found  its  way,  as  the  glorious  land  of  liberty — the  asylum  for  the  oppress- 
ed, and  the  home  for  the  stranger.  But  this  happy  state  of  peace  and  pros- 
perity was  brought  suddenly  to  an  end.  by  a  sectional  spirit  which  arose  in 
the  North  in  regard  to  slaver}',  an  institution  peculiar  only  to  the  Southern 
In  1  856,  a  party  was  formed  in  the  North,  known  as  the  Black  Re- 
publicans. The  principles  of  this  party  was  an  entire  abolition  of  slavery  in 
the  United  States.  John  C.  Fremont  was  nominated  on  their  sectional  ticket 
for  President,  and  received  a  considerable  vote,  but  was  defeated. 

In  i860,  their  number  had  increased  to  an  alarming  rate.  Three  Presiden- 
tial candidates  being  in  the  field  opposed  to  their  principles,  Abraham  Lincoln, 
of  Illinois,  was  elected  President  of  the  United  States  by  this  party.  The 
principles  of  the  Black  Republican  party  were  known  to  be  hostile  to  slavery, 
as  the  leaders  of  this  party  had  over  and  over  again  avowed  it  to  be  their 
intention  to  abolish  it  in  the  United  States  so  soon  as  they  had  the  power. 

This  alarming  stale  of  affairs  caused  the  South  to  look  to  their  rights  in  this 
matter,  and  prepare  for  defence  No  other  alternative  was  left  for  the  South- 
ern States  but  to  secede  peaceably  from  the  Union  and  protect  their  rights  and 
property  as  freemen.  The  State  of  South  Carolina  taking  the  lead,  passed  an 
ordinanoe  of  secession,  and  declared  herself  forever  separated  from  the  Union 
of  the  States.     She  was  soon  followed    by   Georgia,   Alabama,   Mississippi, 


P429 


HI-I.'UY  OF  THE  REVOLT 


and  Tana    These  States  uniting,  sional 

anient  under  the  nam*  in  thus 

og  from  the  old  government,  they  claimed  nothing  more  than  the pob- 
within  their  bounds,  and  simply  to  be  let  alone.    These  States, 
.      appointed  Jefferson  Davis,  of 
lent,  and  Alexander  BL  Stepih 
with  ;i  full  Cabine       I  I  Montgomery,  Alabama,  was  selected 

as  the  -  rernment    The  taking  of  Fori  Sumter,  by  the  anthori 

South  Carolina,  oansed  Abraham  Lincoln,  soon  after  be  took  bis  seat,  to 
his  proclamation  calling  for  75,000  troops  Co  quell  tin'  rebellion  in  the  South, 
and  protect  the  public  property.    Tin-  Southern  11  in  the  Union. 

promptly  refused  to  furnish  their  qnoia  of  troops.     North  Can  '  oa.  v 

an  ordinani  adjoined  the  Confede- 

of  government  was  thru  removed  from  Montgomery  to 
Ricbm  a.  and  vigorous  preparations  were  immediately  made  for 

nf  cur  young  Republic.     The  mighty  events  ibat  have  since  ta- 
ken place,  will  form  an  immortal  page  in  our  country's  history. 

Sine-  ■  tits,  the  States  ol  Missouri,  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  have 

also  joined  the  Confederacy,  making  in  all  thirteen  Slates  in  our  Republic. 


li()Mi:\i;i)Mi;XT()F  K<  >UT  SIMTKU,  S.  C. 

The  Battle  of  Fort  Sumter,  where  the  firsl  gun  was  tired  in  defj 
our  rights,  our  homes  and  our  firesides,  commenced  on  the  morning  of  the 
li'th  ol  Apt  at  Charleston,  in  the  State  ol  South 

Carolina,  and  was  claimed  by  the  United  States  as  their  property,  after  the 
on  tbe  old  Federal  Union.    The  capture  of  tfa 
hern  Troops,  without  the  I  ogle  man,  was  tl  andaot 

in  thegloriot  ;  our  Independence,  and  will  be  handed  down  to  future 

ages  as  the  beginning  ol  the  great  Revolution  of  L861  in  the  Southern  States 
ol  North  .'>  ■■.    only  the  heginniog  ol  victory  that  I 

since  crowned  with  ;  ucee.-s  our  troops  in  lighting  for  our  rights  OU  our  own 
soiL     i  orl  were  commanded  by  Major  Robert  Aot 

who  held  the  plat  and  by  the  authority  of  tbe  Doited 

government.    Tb    I  ate  troops  were  commanded  by  Gen.  G-.T.  Beap- 

■  and  Col.  RiTLEY.  Tlie  bombaidmenc  of  Fc  t  Sumter  was  considered 
by  many  at  tbe  nine  as  a  sham  B^ut,  but  all  are  now  convinced  I  bat  Buch  was 
not  tli'  o  long  reigned  over  our  happy  couni  y,  ihi 

ed  to  realize  tbe  awful  calamity  impending  over  our  once 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 


But  we  dou'ot  whether  history  has  ever  recorded  such  a  battle  where  skil- 
ful o •■■lilleiistson  boih  sides  wc>'e  engaged  firing  at  ouch  other  ior  Ihirty-threo 
boms  without  lulling  or  seriously  wounding  a  single  man.  Maj.  Anderson's 
men  wcie  so  lew  in  number,  that  notwithstanding  the  fort  was  a  scene  of 
desolation  inside,  (hey  could  all  be  safely  stowed  away  in  the  casemates,  and 
(bus  escape  the  iron  hail. 

Yir  sand  batteries  and  ion  batteries  protected  the  Confederate  troops  en- 
tirely. The  only  loss  of  life  that  ocem  cod  during  this  long  engagement  hap- 
pened when  Maj.  Andersons  men  were  saluting  their  flag,  previous  to  leav- 
ing i  1h"  foi  t.  In  tiling  one  of  their  guns,  some  shell  or  loose  ammunition  ly- 
ing on  the  parapets  caught  lire  and  exploded,  killing  one  man  instantly,  and 
mortally  wounding  three  or  four  others.  Two  of  the  wounded  men  died  soon 
afterwards.  The  man  who  was  killed  frsi.  was  buried  with  militaiy  honors 
by  Older  of  Gen.  Beauregard.  On  the  13th,  atone  o'clock,  Fort  Sumter,  with 
all  the  public  property  in  ii,  was  delivered  up  to  Capt.  Forouson,  one  of  Gen. 
Beauregard's  aids  dispatched  to  receive  it,  and  raise  upon  its  walls  the  Con- 
federate Flag  and  ensign  of  South  Carolina.  The  two  flags  were  raised  si- 
multaneously on  (tie  ramparts,  looking  towards  Charleston.  The  surrender 
of  the  Port  was  claimed  by  the  commander,  Gen.  Beauregard,  in  the  name 
of  (be  Conlederaie  States  of  America.  Major  ANDERSON  demanded  on  what 
tc  ins  be  must  surrender.  The  reply  was  that  Gen.  Beauregard  was  a  sol- 
dier and  a  gentleman,  and  knew  bow  to  treat  a  gallant  enemy.  He  then 
agreed  to  surrender  the  Foit  in  the  name  of  the  Coniederate  States,  and  haul 
down  the  s.arsand  stripes.  The  batteries  then  ceased  firing,  and  the  fort  was 
surrendered.  Maj.  Anderson  and  his  men  were  allowed  to  take  with  them 
their  private  property  when  they  left  the  fort  They  all  wentonboaida 
ent  from  New  Yoik  to  convey  them  there.  Thus  ended  this  grand 
achievement,  which  is  yet  to  ado-  n  die  pages  of  future  history  as  the  first 
stroke  for  our  glorious  independence.  The  hand  of  Providence  was  wonder- 
fully displayed  in  the  preservation  of  human  life  in  this  engagement. 


BATTLE  OF  BIG  BETHEL,  VIRGINIA. 

The  Battle  op  Bethel  Cm-ecu,  near  Yorktown,  in  Virginia,  was  fought 
on  the  10th  of  June,  1861.  This  was  the  Grsl  signal  victory  achieved  by 
Southern  arms  on  the  battle  field,  in  the  second  war  of  independence. 

The  Confederate  forces  in  the  battle  were  commanded  by  Col.  Maoeddee, 

of  Virginia,  and  CoL  I».  II.  Hill,  of  Noith  Carolina    T  forces  were 

apart  of  the  famous  Gen.  Picayune  Buti  br's  brigade,  i  •  1  by  hi--  aid- 

ips,  and  several  Colonels  Ol  different  regiments  under  his  command. — 

Tin-  Confederate  forces  were  aroused  at  three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the 


2940 


HIBTOBY  OF  THB  REVOLUTION. 


10th  for  a  general  advance  upou  the  euemy'a  fines,  ami  unrobed  three  and  a 
}ialf{Tuiles,  when  they   learned   that    tin-  foe,  in  la  .  .'km  a  few 

bandred  yards  of  them.  Our  forces  then  fell  hack  hastily  and  in  good  order 
npon  their  entrenchments,  end  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  invaders.  Lieut. 
Col.  Btswast,  of  the  third  Virginia  regiment,  having  under  his  command 
about  180  men,  waa  stationed  on  a  hill  on  the  extreme  right  beyond  the 

ind  company  <;  >>!  ti  rtb  Oaroiioa  ragimenl 

over  the  stream  to  protect  the  bowitaer  under  Capt  Browk.  Capt  Bmno- 
krs  of  company  A.  abo  of  first  regimeni  from  North  Carolina,  took 

beyond,  and  to  thelefl  of  New  M  tfajorMoii- 

T.\i;n;.  with  three  oompaniea  of  his  battalion,  waa  ordered  up  from  ti 

the  right,  beginning  at  the  church,  and  extending  along  the 
entire  front  on  thai  aida    This  line  body  of  men,  and  the  gallant  command 
of  Col.  Stewart,  worked  with  great  rapidity,  and  in  an  hour  had  construct- 
ed temporary  shelters  from  the  enemy's  Bra     At  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
avy  columns  ol  the  enemy  were  sen  approaching  very  rapidly,  and  in 

good  order.      But  when  Major  RANDOLPH,  from  D 

at  a  quarter  past  nine,  their  organization  was  completely  broke  up. — 
They  promptly  replied  though  with  their  artillery  for  Bring  brisk- 

ly and  wildly,  and  made  an  attempt  to  deploy  on  out  right,  under  cover  of 
BOme  houses  and  paling.     They  were  promptly  driven  hack  by  our  Artillery. 

of  Virginia,  and  companies  B,  C  and  G,  ol  the  first  North 
Carolina  ragimenl  All  the  attempts  that  the  cowardly  Yankees  made  with- 
in musket  range,  during  the  engagement,  was  under  oevi 

■  n'matedal  1500  men  made  an  attempt  to  outflank  us  and 
get  in  the  reai  ol  Ool.  Stewart's  small  command    He  was  acoordinglj 

.ill  hack,  and  BOOD  alter  the   whole  of  our  advanced  tTOOpfl  were  with- 
drawn.   At  this  critical  moment*  Col  Hill  directed  Col.  Lbs  to  older  Capt 
Bbioobrs  out  of  the  swamp  and  take  his  stand  on  the  nearest  advanoed  work 
i,,  the  ,  Demy.    Capt  Boas,  company  C,  of  the  first  North  Carolina  regiment, 
ipportCoL  Stewart.    These  two  compani  over  to 

Baitoolph's  battery  under  a  most  galling  fire,  in  a  gall  int  manner.  As  Col. 
Stkwabt bad  now  withdrawn,  ('apt.  Boss  waa  detained  at  the  church  near 

Kaniioi.hi'-  battery.     Capt.    BridOKBS  crossed  over   and   drove  the  Zouaves 

the  advanced  bowitaer  battery,  and  re-occupied  it.  It  ie  impossible  to 
cploit  of  this  gallant  oflicer  and  brave  men.  It  de- 
cided the  action  in  our  favor  that  memorable  day.  Tn  obedience  to  the  order 
of  Col.  Maobudbb,  Col.  Btbwabt  rushed  hack,  and  in  spite  of  the  presenoeof 
a  foe  ten  times  his  superior  in  numbers,  resumed  in  a  most  heroic  manner 

iion  ol  the  first  entrenchments.  A  fresh  howitzer  was  carried  across 
and  planed  in  the  battery.  Capt  A.VERY,  company  G,  first  North  Carolina, 
was  directed  to  defend  it  at  all  hazards.  Our  men  were  now  as  secure  as  at 
the  beginning  of  the  fight,  and  as  yet  we  had  not  had  a  single  man  killed. — 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 


The  enemy,  finding  they  were  foiled  in  attempting  to  turn  our  right  flank, 
made  a  final  demonstration  on  our  left.  A  strong  column,  supposed  to  consist 
of  detachments  from  different  regiments  under  the  command  of  Col.  Win- 
throp,  aid  to  Gen.  Butler,  crossed  over  the  creek  and  appeared  in  formidable 
force  on  our  left.  Those  iu  advance  had  put  on  our  distinctive  badge,  "  a 
white  band  around  their  caps,"  and  cried  out  repeatedly  "  don't  fire."  This 
ruse  was  practiced  to  enable  the  whole  column  to  get  over  the  creek  and  form 
in  good  order.  The  enemy  now  began  to  cheer  most  lustily,  thinking  that 
our  works  were  open  at  the  gorge,  and  they  could  get  in  by  a  sudden  rush. 
But  companies  B  and  C,  of  the  North  Carolina  regiment,  soon  dispelled  their 
illusion  by  a  cool  and  deliberate,  and  well  directed  fire. 

Col.  Magruder  now  sent  portions  of  companies  G-,  C  and  H  of  the  first 
North  Carolina  regiment  to  the  support  of  the  left,  and  now  began  as  cool 
firing  on  our  side  as  was  ever  witnessed.  The  three  field  officers  were  pres- 
ent, and  few  shots  were  fired  without  their  permission.  Our  boys  were  in 
high  glee,  and  seemed  to  enjoy  the  fight  as  much  as  rabbit  shooting  on  the 
Christmas  holydays.  But  on  the  other  side,  Col.  Winthrop,  while  gallantly 
urging  on  his  men,  was  shot  through  the  heart  and  fell  dead  on  the  spot.  His 
men  then  rushed  back  with  the  utmost  precipitation.  So  far  as  the  observa- 
tion of  our  men  extended,  Col.  Wintrrop  was  the  only  man  on  the  side  of 
the  enemy  that  exhibited  any  courage  during  the  whole  engagement.  But 
the  hero  was  destined  to  fall  there,  and  with  him  (ell  the  hopes  of  his  com- 
mand. 

The  fight  at  the  angle  on  our  left  lasted  about  twenty  minutes  longer,  and 
the  enemy  made  no  further  attempt  at  assault.  The  house  in  front,  which 
had  served  them  as  a  hiding  place,  was  now  fired  by  a  shell  from  a  howitzer, 
and  the  out-honses  and  palings  were  all  soon  in  a  blaze. 

As  all  shelter  was  now  taken  from  them,  they  called  in  their  troops  and 
Started  back  for  Hampton.  It  was  thought  they  had  left  sharp  shooters  in 
the  woods  on  our  left :  the  dragoons  could  not  advance  until  the  Southern 
Stars,  Capt.  Hoke's  company  from  North  Carolina,  had  fully  explored  them, 
then  Captain  Douthitt  with  about  one  hundred  dragoons  pursued  them.  The 
enemy  in  their  haste,  threw  away  canteens,  haversacks,  overcoats,  &c,  and 
even  the  dead  bodies  were  thrown  out  of  the  wagons  in  their  rapid  retreat  • 
and  for  the  third  time  the  Yaukees  won  the  race  over  New  .Market  Bridge, 
as  they  had  twice  before  retreated  over  the  bridge  on  previous  day*  The 
bridge  was  torn  up  behind  them,  and  our  dragoons  returned  to  camp.  A  de- 
tachment of  fifteen  Cadets  from  the  North  Carolina  Military  Institute,  at 
Charlotte,  defended  the  bowitser  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Hudnal  and 
acted  with  peat  bravery  and  coolness.  The  Confederate  force  only  amount- 
ed to  about  1200  men,  and  not  more  than  three  hundred  were  actively  en- 
gaged at  any  one  time. 

The  enemy  could  not  have  had  less  than  about  6000  men  engaged :     Col. 


HISTORY  OF   IIIK   KKVoLl 


of  Colonel  I  '      ■  ■•  I ' 

hick,  and  Col  WaBDBDP,  horn  aCasaschoSStl  :',u.i.rs' 

U  W  V"ik.  uaded,  only 

one  mortally.     Tiie  enemy  imi-i  :  three  hundred  in  killed  and 

wounded,  besides  a  large  imoual  thrown  away  in 

1  Id  of  battle  and  took  care  «'i  the 

Thus  ended  the  first  great  fighl 
lution  of  LSI 

our  arms  since,  on  the  same  soil  in  a  good  •  e  enemy,  in  thia  battle, 

had  largely  the  :.  *  - n t  sustained  a 

gloriously  from  the  Geld. 

Whet  the  Confederates  lacked  in  numbers  they  made  up  in  bravery,  and 

under  the  guidai.  port  oi  an  overruling   Providence,  they  were  ena- 

bled to  gain  a  glorioi.  theii   enemies.    The  name  of  Bethel 

Church,  and  the  heroic  achievements  ol  the  Bona  ol  the  South,  on  that  memo- 
rable day,  will  be  handed  down  to  future  i  e  first  great  victory  for 
the  cause  i                   I  and  humanity.  ' 

The  name- i,I    M.w;i:r,>i:i;.  lln.i..  Stkwaiit  and  Ll  r.  with  all  i  heir  brave  lol- 

will  emblazon  |  ■:  future  history  as  heroes;  not  for  conquest, 

but  only  fighting  lor  their  lights  and  their  homes 

The  names  of  the  brave  heroes  who  fell  in  this  battle,  will  be  furnished,  it 
is  hoped,  for  publication  in  some  future  history  of  these  dark  days  of  revo- 
lution and  bloodshed  in  the  Confederate  Stan-.  The  two  heroes  in  this  bat- 
tle, M.\<;kvih  i:  and  II  ni .  have  both  been  promoted  to  Brigadier  Generals  since 
the  r*  thel 

,1  is  noted  in  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  the  place  where  Jacob  saw  his 
del  in  Virginia,  is  destined  to  become  a  household  word  in  the 
future  J  our  country.    This  place  will  now  be  pointed  out  on  the 

maps  of  our  country  as  a  battle  ground  for  all  time  to  come. 


THE  BATTLE  OF  BULL'S  RUN  AND  MAX  A  ss  as 
PLAIN'S. 

Tut  out  u  BATTU  OF  Bl  MB  M  w  IBS  \s  . I r.wriox,  Virgin'. 

place  on  the  18th  of  July,  1881,  and  the  greal    Waterloo  of  America,  was 

fought  on    Sunday    after,  the   'Jlst    of  .Inly,  called    li The  Battle    of  ManasSSfl 

Plain?."  near  the  same  place.    The  seal  of  Government  for  the  Confederate 

had  been  removed  a  short  time  previous  from  M  y.  Alabama, 

to  Richmond,  Virginia;  and  President  Davis  with  bis  Cabinet  bad  established 

bis  head  quarter!  there  bO  be  near  the  seat  of  war.      A   strong  force  of  troops 


HISTORY  OF  T1IK  REVOLUTION.  9 


fcom  Virginia,  and  most  of  the  Southern  Slates,  wore  now  posted  on  fee  Yii- 
ginia  side  of  the  Potomac,  for  the  defence  of  that  State,  and  to  protect  their 
capital.    The  invat  ohj.vt  in  view,  by  the  authorities  at  Washington,  waste 

MOSS  over  the  Potomac,  and  make  a  grand  attack  her. — disperse  the  lehels— 

marsh  through  to  Richmond— take  President  Davis  and  his  Cabinet  prison- 
ers; and  thus  make  short  work  of  this  rebel  insurrection  in  the  Southern 
States.  The  Yankees  were  so  certain  of  accomplishing  this  grand  feat,  thai 
bhsy  had  .-ill  their  wagons  labeled  >'  Qnito  Richmond,"  and  their  appetites 
■barpened  up  for  a  big  supper  there  on  the  night  after  the  battle.  Bur,  before 
the  sun  had  set  on  the  mcmorab  le  21st  of  July,  they  found  that  "on  to  Rich 
mond"  was  a  hard  road  to  travel  lor  them.  They  met  the  most  signal  de- 
feat, of  modem  times,  at  least.  The  less  of  the  enemy  in  the  skirmish  at 
Bull's  Pom  creek,  on  the  18th,  is  estimated  to  have  been  not  less  than  One 
thousand  men,  while  the  Confederate  loss  was  small.  The  full  particulars  of 
this  fighl  cannot  lie  accurately  delineated,  as  the  enemy  fled  in  every  direc- 
tion, and  the  Confederates  held  the  held.  The  reports  of  this  battle  aie  BO 
nearly  connected  with  that  of  Manassas  Plains,  that  I  have  no  particular  re- 
liable aecouiit.  It  was  only  a  skirmish,  which  brought  on  the  great  fight  of 
the  21st.  though  the  enemy's  loss  was  heavy. 

The  Battle  of  Manassas  Plains,  or  American    Waterloo,  was  fought  on  the 
21st  of  July.  1SG1.  as  before  stated.     The  first  gun  tired  thai  morning  by  the 
enemy  was  about  six  o'clock,  their  batteries  opening  against  our  centre  as  a 
lOaal  their  movements  against  our  left.     This  was  the  commence- 
ment ol    the  great  battle  thai  ended  so  disastrously  to  the  boasted  hirelings  of 

a corrupt  despotism, headed  by  Abraham  Lincoln  and  hisBlackRepu 
advisers.     His  grand  army  that  made  the  a.  tack  here,  was  commanded  by 
als  A'iNi'iKi.n  Scott,  Pattessov  and  McDowku.;  the  Confederate  forces 
by  Generals  Joseph  E.  iqnsaqx  and  G.  T.  Bkaubsgard. 

A  >hort  time  aftct  the  first  gun  was  iked,  the'  two  Generals  with  their  staff 
officers  to  the  Dearest   poim  of  elevation  convenient  to  the  centre, 

and  there  awaited  forth  pementa,  whilst   the  iron  hail  whirled  over 

their  heads  like  a  tempest 

iue  to  General  Joiins-i on  to  say  that   he  phoned    the  battle,  at 

Bbavotoaso,  both  as  brave  and  accomplished  Generals  as  il„. 
world  ever  produced.     To  understand   the   battle,  von   must  know   that  our 

!;.  and  iim haielv  back  ol  it.  defend- 

Ingtbe  ds.    The  hm  of  battle  was  changed  to  a  direction  per;. 

lll:'r  '"  'he  .^e  we  |i,-.  Our  hue  eXtem  distance  O;  . 

On  Satuiday  tight  ;■  ItMOd, 

and  nearly  the  entire  night  was  consumed  by  both  Generals  in  writing  e 
to  the  different  Brigades  to  |  meal  in  the  morning. 

Our  troops  intended  to  move  by  sight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  but  the  i 
commenced  the  attack  at    six    o'clock,  below  the   movetMttt could  be  made. 


1«'  BOnOBT  "K  Tin:  UTOKJOtlOH. 

The  two  GK  ting  patiently  on  the  knoll  we  have  men- 

watching  the  in  ny,  whin  the  rattle  of  musketry 

I  to  them  toe  fact  the  i  battle  had  ooeomenced.    The  G» 

.  -tail'  went  flying  on  tin-  wings  of  the  wind  to  of  no- 

t  about  three  miles.    The  country  hen  [ling  one,  thickly 

.     .     •.  .  open  valley 

with  a  hill  mi  ■  ■  irt 

.    ■  menl  commenced,  was 
an  alternate  movement  of  When  Gen.   lfoDowxu.'a  oohnaaa 

reached  Sudley'a  spring,  a  ford  much  bigher  op  the  Bull  Bun  than  it  was  an- 
ticipated thej  would  oroas,  as  the  stone  bridge  was  the  p 

l  the  extreme  left    But  1. along,  quietly  getting 

in  behind  us  until  v.ivd  by  Cm.  Kvans'  brigade,  who  • 

fire  upon  (iiem.  In  quick  Buoaeeaion  their  tegimenta  deployed  into  line  to 
their  right,  whil.-t  ours  came  up  upon  our  left  The  engagement  now  grew 
hot  and  nv  columns  of  the  enemy  numbered  at  least  25.000  Of 

30,000  men,  while  we  could  only  oppose  them  with  about  sunt).  Slowly,  but 
steadily,  the  heavy  columns  marched  on, pn  fnum- 

ir  gallant  little  band  of  heroes,  for  the  purpose  of  taming  our  Hank  and 
long  us  in  ■ 
Gallantly,  however,  did  our  army  Btruggiefor  therighl  in  thai  mighty  coa- 
id  ii:  despite  of  odd--,  regimenl  after  regiment  threw  itself  in  the  way. 
disputing  the  ground  inch  by  inch,  regardless  of  me  Gust  that  its  pred 

lispersed.     A  battery  of  the  enemy  harrassing  our 

columns  severely,  the  eighth  Georgia  regiment  was  ordered  to  take  it,  and 

'.■.-ell  did  they  do  so;  but  a  myriad  of  Yankee-  asemed  bo  rise  op  who 

ncealed  from  us,- and  pouring  a  heavy  fire  upon  our  bravo 

column-;,  they  seemed  to  mell  away  lik<   .-now  beneath  a  summer  sun. 

iot  down  and  taken  prisoner,  but  he  was  after- 
wards retaken  again  by  our  men  later  in  the  day.  The  eighth  Georgia  regi- 
ment a  'lit  from  their  advanced  position  with  half  their 
number  killed  or  wounded.  ■;  of  the  enemy  was  then  met  by  the 
brigade  of  Gen.  Bee,  composed, ol  Mississippi  and  I  reorgia  regiments,  and  one 
regimenl  bom  T<  1 1  ral  Baa's  oould  n01  withstand  the  tornado  of 
shell  and  ahi  rough  their  ranks,  and  .-lowly  retreated,  fighting 
bravely  all  the  time.  Later  in  the  day,  the  brave  Colonel  Bartow  fell  near 
this  spot,  whilst  leading  on  the  seventh  GK  imeat,  oommani 
Col.  Cakti'.ku..  But  m  the  retreat  of  General  Ban's  forces,  the  fourth  Ala- 
bama regimenl  suffered  severely,  all  of  its  Beld  officers  were  shot  down.  Col. 
]  -  and  Major  Scott  were  left  on  the  Held.  Col.  Joan  was  afterwards  re- 
taken by  our  men  daring  the  rout.  Our  forces  now  fell  back  upon  the  posi- 
tion taken  by  Hampton's  Legion,  whose  work  on  that  day  was  clearly  shown 
by  the  heaps  of  dead  Yankees  in  front  of  their  line.     A  momentary  check  was 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  11 


now  given  to  the  approach  of  the  enemy.  They  had  now  retreated  to  the 
brow  of  the  hill  where  the  brigade  of  Gen.  Jackson  was  lying,  and  this  was 
the  most  critical  point  of  the  day.  Our  troops  had  been  fighting  for  several 
hours  under  a  scorching  sun,  without  a  drop  of  water,  and  their  heroic  con- 
duct could  not  be  excelled;  but  human  endurance  has  its  bounds,  and  all 
seemed  about  to  be  lost.  Our  reserves  were  miles  distant  yet  from  Hie  scene 
of  action,  whilst  the  enemy's  reserve  kept  pressing  on.  The  two  Generals 
had  remained  anxious  spectators  on  the  knoll  of  a  hill  near  the  Lewis  house. 
But  the  time  had  now  come  for  action,  and  plunging  their  spurs  into  their 
Steeds,  pitched  into  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  cheering  on  the  brave  boys  in 
the  mighty  conflict.  Coming  first  to  the  Alabamians  who  were  without  a 
field  officer,  Qen.  Johnston  placed  the  color  bearer  by  his  side,  and  gave  them 
words  of  encouragement,  which  had  a  good  effect  in  urging  them  on.  This 
was  a  well-timed  movement.  Already  our  line  on  the  hill  was  giving  way, 
but  incited  to  fresh  deeds  of  heroism,  by  the  appearance  of  the  Generals,  ap- 
parently bringiag  reinforcements,  they  pitched  in  again  with  redoubled  ardor, 
and  from  that  time  our  troops  never  yielded  one  inch  of  ground  to  the  foe. 

Gen.  Beauregard,  riding  over  to  the  left,  took  charge  of  operations  there, 
displaying  reckless  bravery  m  the  face  of  the  enemy's  fire,  Ins  horse  was  shot 
under  him  at  this  time  and  killed,  but  he  escaped  uninjured  himself.  The  tide  of 
battle  thus  checked,  Gen.  Johnston  sent  his  staff' to  hurry  Up  reserves,  and  as- 
sign them  proper  positions.  The  reserves  were  met  two  miles  back,  covered 
with  dust,  coming  at  double  quick.  On  they  came,  and  pkraged  into  the 
fray  with  a  courage  that  defied  danger.  At  this  important  juncture  of  affairs, 
Gen.  KlRBT  Smith,  with  a  portion  of  his  division,  arrived  on  the  ground,  and 
the  bright  sunshine  of  victory  soon  began  to  appear  from  behind  the  murky 
clouds  of  gloom  before  us.  Gen.  Smith  coming  from  Winchester,  and  hear- 
ing the  roar  of  battle,  did  not  wait  for  orders,  but  disembarked  his  men,  and 
marched  to  our  assistance.  Col.  Kershaw's  and  Col.  Cash's  n-iuients  arriv- 
ed upon  the  ground  at  the  same  moment.  With  these  4000  men  General 
Smith  presently  took  the  extreme  left,  and  turned  the  tide  of  battle. 

The  enemy  had  so  far  turned  our  flank  as  to  get  entirely  behind  us,  and 
about  4000  were  marching  to  attack  us  in  the  rear.  Seeing  this.  (Jen.  Smith 
determined  to  cut  them  off',  and  would  have  done  SO,  but  fur  his  misfortune 
in  being  shot  through  the  neck  with  a  grape  shot  just  as  Col  Ki.kshaw  was 
within  twenty  yards  of  him  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  ordeoB.  1 1  i*  plan 
was  not  carried  out,  and  they  wen;  thus  enable  to  join  the  main  body,  hotly 
ed  by  our  men. 

brigade  had  been   for  hours  sustaining   with   unflinching 
courage  a  most  terrific  lire.     The  General  had  hi  ;  under  him,  and 

a  finger  off  his  left  hand,  but  cool  as  a  cucumber,  he  still  urged  his  boys  to  be 
and  steady  they  were,  when  they  ohatged  the  Zouaves  and  otlv 

ments. 


mfrably  in  this  bloody  et- 
billed  and  wounded  will  testify;  hut  nil  ■ 

B   that   net  by  <>t  liH'ii- 

•-.  that  in  all  ill-  the  enemy  at  m>  tin 

d  they  thundered  away  all  the  time  doing 
and  Bending  death  ami  dismay  into  the  ranks  of  I 
'  carnage 'was  beyond  description.     Here  a  pile  of  dead  and  dy- 
i.  orippled  ami  dead  horses  :ill  in  one  heap;  and  over  the  surface  of  the 
hitherto  peaceful  fields,  die  awful  •  and  destruction  was  adding 

•  .-till  tn  the  long  list  already  slain.  Th  ire  was  a  constant  Btraggle dar- 
ing the  day  over  the  enemy's  batteries.  Time  and  again,  wi  pruned 
by  onr  men.  and  retaken  by  the  enemy.  The  most  excited  man. 
perhaps,  on  the  battle  6eld,  was. tl  B  R  PKna^'oftl 
who  claimed  the  honor  ot  t  k i 1 1 lt  Sherman's  battery.  Ofhis"  b'-ave  company, 
nearly  one  hundred  Btrong,  he  bad  only  eighteen  uninjured.  Col 
from  Lexington,  Virginia,  was  very  busy  during  the  day.  and  did  much  to 
check  the  advancing  enemy.  He  js  also  a  minister,  and  the  inquiry  among 
:  the  battle  was,  "'who  the  devil  commanded  the  battery  on 
that  killed  so  many  of  our  men."  The  reply  was,  "it  wasawxtni, 
name.  I  k  our  anxious  minds  were  relieved  by 
jation  oi  cannonading  from  the  enemy's  side,  whilst  our  guus  stir 
thundered  longand  loud.  Tlun  we  knew  we  had  gained  the  day.  A  long-line 
of  dust  towards  OentreviHe  proclaimed  that  the  stripes  had  been  plenieously 
administered  to  the  Lincoln  vandals,  and  the  afar*  and  bdrt  waive.  1  triumphant* 
ly  over  tin*  hlouily  lelds  oi  Man;:--.-.-.  A  long  line  of  fugitives'  Wen 
flying  across  the  Gelds,  and  our  cavalry  in  hot  pursuit. 

Tin-  history  of  this  pursuit  might  well  be  written  in  words  ol  Mood,  for 
more  men  were  killed  then  ami  there  than  had  fallen  in  all  the  battle  before. 
Our  infantry  hurried  on  as  rapidly  as  possible,  while  our  batteries  gave  a  part- 
ing iin-  in  the  rear.  The  amount  of  plunder  thrown  away  in  the  flight,  is 
almost  incredible.  Every  thin"-  that  would  incoinmbde  speedy  travelling  was 
thrown  aw..  knapsacksj  overcoats  and  canteens  lay  thick  on  their 

It  is  Impossible  to  give  a  correal  account  of  the  full  amount  captured 
from  the  enemy  in  dheir  hasty  retreat,     It  is  estimated  that  at  least  12,006 

stand  of  small  arm-  were  taken  j   sixty-three  |  ulli-ry.  some  of  the  very 

cannon;  with  powder  enough  to  supply  our  whole  army  for  another 
hi?  battle,  with  an  immense  amount  of  army  sion-s,  wagons,  horses,  Sec. 

Many  hundred  brave  Southern  hoys  now  -port  splendid  blue  overcoats 
which  the  Yankees  threw  away,  and  had  not  time  to  call  and  get  tin'' 

on  the  evening  of  the  21st  of  .Inly.     About  the  beginning  of  the  retreat,  <  ten. 
Johnston  gathered  several  hundred  men  from  different  regiments  and  r<  quest* 
Thomas  to  take  a  certain'  position  he  pointed  out.     White  nobly  per- 
forming this  service,  this  gallant  officer  fell  pierced  through  the  heart 


HISTORY  OK  THE  REVOLUTION.  13 


The  gallant  and  brave  Col.  C.  P.  Fisher,  of  the  sixth  North  Carolina  regi- 
ment, also  fell  shot  through  the  head  by  a  ramie  ball  while  bravely  leading  on 
his  regiment  into  the  hottest  of'the  fight,  Mis  death  is  believed  to  have- best) 
instantaneous.  No  one  noticed  his  fall  at  the  time,  his  brave  boys  fought  00 
to  the  last  without.   missing'  his    pre®  he    had  taken  his  place  EH  a.  pri- 

vate, gun  in  hand,  in  the  beginning  of  the  light.  His  presence  was  missed 
from  his  regiment  after  the  bat t '",  and  search  was  made  for  him,  when  Ins 
lifeless  body  was  found  as  above  stated. 

This  brave  man  was  out  off  in  the  beginning  of  his  career  of  usefulness  as 
a  soldier,  with  a  spirit  as  indomital  le  iJ  i  the  lot  of  mortal  man  to  po 
But  Col.  Fisher  is  no  more:  his  cold  remains  sleep  silently  in  the  grave  yard 
at  Salisbury,  in  his  native  State.  North  Carolina  will  be  ever  proud  of  such 
a  son,  and  the  friends  of  the  South  will  honor  the  memory  of  the  hero  who 
sacrificed  his  life  in  his  country's  cause.  We  hope  an  appropriate  monument 
will  soon  mark  the  last  resting  place  of  this  intrepid  patriot,  of  the  Revolution 
of  1SH1.  The  sixth  North  Carolina  regiment  of  Col.  Fisher,  also 
considerably;  sixty-nine  were  killed  and  wounded.  Lieut.  Col.  Lightfoot 
wa,-  slightly  wounded. 

The  Cglethorp  Light  Infantry,  belonging  to  the  eighth  Georgia  regiment. 
Were  severely  cut  up.  They  were  composed  of  the  fiist  youug  men  of  Sa- 
vannah, and  were  under  the  command  of  General  Bartow.  The  brave  Bar- 
tow, while  gallantly  leading  on  his  favorite  regiment,  and  cheering  his  brave 
boys  into  the  hotiesc  of  the  fight,  was  shot  through  the  heart,  and  fell  dead 
from  his  ho'se.  Thus  perished  a  h?*  •  >  and  heoic  man,  possessing  as  noble  a 
soul  as  ever  beached,  lie  was  a  pure  patriot,  an  able  staiesman,  a  heroic 
soldier,  and  his  name  and  his  memory  will  fill  an  immortal  page  in  his  coun- 
try's history. 

But  it  is  not  my  purpose  to  pay  a  tribute  to  the  memory  of  all  those  brave 

who  fell  on  the  battle  r;e'ds  of  their  country,  but  merely  to  give  a 

ass  on.     I  leave  it  to  abler  pens  than  mine  to  do  them  justice. 

li  many  of  our  bravest  men  fell  in  this  battle,  yet  the  glorious  victory 

gained  over  the  enemies  of  our  rights,  and  our  firesides,  will  serve,  to  some 

lit,  to  mitigate  their  loss. 

The  laurels  won  by  Southern  boys  or.  the  plains  of  Manassas,  on  the  21st of 
July,  wi|l  fill  a  bright  page  in  the  futu/e  history  of  our  young  Republic, 
a  is  no  earthly  doubt  that  our  9  overcome  several  the 

us  of  ]  2  and  3  o'clock  .hey   held   on..  day  in 

With  all  theii  lion,  ibegrand  army  of  the  enemy  met 

certain  destruction,  when  victory  seemed  to  be  perched  upon  their  standard 
The  whole  plan  of  attack  hod  been  accurately  mapped  out  from  W« 
to  M  i  doubt  by  Gen.  Scott  '..'t.iself. 

Our  success  can  only  be  attrP  the  hand  of  Providence,  and  the 

y  of  our  men.     One  of  tin  officers  who  was  taki 


14  HIST'-KY   OFTHK    UI-.Vnl.nin.N. 

remarked,  •'  we  broke  your  regiments  all  lo  pieces  yet  we  couldn't  whip 
you."  Our  men  went  on  fighting  00  tlicir  own  hook,  when  thus  broken  np. 
The  mortality  on  both  Miles  wa;  immense,  twit  ours  was  small  compared  with 
thai  of  thfl  enemy.  The  returns  on  our  side  will  show  about  800  killed,  and 
2500  wounded.  0a  the  side  of  the  enemy.  L600  were  killed  and  left  00  the 
field,  ami  4500  wounded.  It  is  supposed  that  a  large  number  of  killed  and 
wounded  were  conveyed  from  the  field  in  the  beginning  of  the  fight  by  the 
Vankr.  b. 

The  artillery  eaptured  on  the  held,  had  splendid  horses  attached  to  them, 
caparisoned  in  the  best  style.  Sixty-two  of  them  were  brought  in  together 
ue.\t  morning.  In  the  rout,  however.  BOSM  of  the  artillerists  cut  loose  their 
horses,  and  left  their  cannon  by  the  way. 

Such  a  rout  as  was  given  to  the  hirelings  of  Abe  Lincoln  and  Granny 
Scott  on  this  glorious  Sabbath  day  by  Southern  boys,  is  without  a  parallel  in 
modern  times.  The  whole  road  (or  miles  was  literally  covered  with  blankets, 
[una  and  knapsacks,  dead  men  and  horses.  Several  wagons  were  load- 
ed with  limber  for  the  purpose  of  making  bridges  across  Bull  Run  creek — all 

Few  men  in  the  grand   army   will  ever   again   tread   the  soil  of  Manassas 

.  without  a  trepidation  of  heart  as  they  reflect  on  the  hasty  retreat  they 

made  on  that  day  from  Southern  boys.    I  may  here  mention  one  little  inci- 

.  Inch  will  go  far  to  illustrate  the  spirit  and  coolness  of  the  Southern  boys 
on  this  trying  oocasion.    A  young  man  from  one  of  the  Southern  States  dur- 
ing the  battle,  found  a  dead  rabbit:  he  secured  his  pri/.e,  and  baving  B 
lor  Bomethin  uxied  his  rabbit  with  him  through  the  entire  chase,  lay- 

ing it  down    while  loading  and   firing,  but  still   taking  care  to  pick    it    up 
again.      This,  and  many  other  incidents,  will  hercal'ler  be  recorded  in  I 
tiou  with  the  battle  of  Manassas  1'lains. 

This  battle  ground  is  near  what  is  now  palled  Manassas  Junction,  where 

the  two  Rail  Roads  connect,  about  thirty  or  forty  miles  from  Washington 
City.  The  Junction  was  formerly  called  Tudor  Hall,  a  small  country  Peel 
Office,  but  lately  a  considerable  village  has  grown  up  there,  and  since  the 
great  battle,  it  bat  been  iantotlng  very  rapidly.  Gen.  Johnston,  the  hero  of 
the  battle  of  Manat  as,  now  resides  in  this  place.  He  has  built  a  splendid 
ad  family,  and  done  nmeh  to  improve  the  place.  To 
look  around  and  see  (he  improvements  going  on,  one  would  think  that 
reigned  in  this  country)  but  the  beavj  boar  of  cannon  in  the  distauee, 
and  implements  of  destruction  that  are  placed  near,  soon  warn  you  that  a 
mighty  strife  is  still  going  on. 

The  Plains  of  Manassas  have  become  classic  in  the  history  of  our  country; 
here  a  mighty  battle  was  fought,  and  a  glorious  victory  gained  by  Southern 
arms.  Many  strangers  have  visited  this  field  of  strife  since  the  21st  of  July, 
1861.     The  awful  destruction  is  plainly  to  be  seen  yet — heaps  of  dead  horses 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  15 


are  still  lying  there  with  the  flesh  on  their  bones,  as  no  buzzard,  or  any  car- 
rion birds  have  ever  been  seen  on  this  battle  ground  since  the  battle.  This  is 
certified  to  be  a  fact  by  all  who  have  visited  the  place  since  the  battle.  I 
have  never  heard  of  any  bird  being  seen  there  since  except  one  blue  bird. — 
Various  reasons  have  been  assigned  for  the  absence  of  these  birds,  but  per- 
haps the  smell  of  power  was  so  strong,  for  some  time  after  the  battle,  as  to 
frighten  them  entirely  away.  This  portion  of  Virginia  had  been  settled  many 
years  previous,  and  was  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  in  many  places,  but  it 
presents  nothing  now  but  desolation  and  ruin.  The  fertile  farms  are  now  a 
barren  waste — the  happy  homes  deserted — the  fences  all  broken  down,  and 
in  many  places,  the  rails  burned  up. 

The  scenes  around  Manassas  present  to  us  the  awful  calamity  of  war. 
Many  of  our  brave  friends  now  sleep  on  those  plains — that  sleep  which  knows 
no  waking  in  time.  I  stop  here  and  wait  for  some  one  better  prepared  to  give 
a  more  full  account  of  this  great  battle.  It  will  be  known  in  future  as  the  second 
Waterloo,  fought,  not  for  conquest,  but  only  in  defence  of  our  rights  on  our 
own  soil.  Manassas  Plains  is  destined,  in  all  time  to  come,  to  be  as  famous 
in  history  as  Bunker's  Hill,  Yorktown,  or  New  Orleans.  Some  of  the  heroic 
patriots,  who  fought  so  bravely  in  those  great  battles,  had  sons  and  grand- 
sons at  Manassas  on  the  21st  of  July,  18G1.  The  whole  particulars  of  this 
battle  will  form  a  large  book  of  history,  when  all  shall  have  been  known;  and 
should  we  ever  be  so  fortunate  as  to  get  a  correct  account  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  it  will  show,  no  doubt,  some  amusing  incidents  of  Yankee  traveling, 
from  a  scene  of  danger  to  the  city  of  refuge. 


BATTLE  OF  OAK  HILL  OK  SPRINGFIELD,  MO. 

This  hard  fought  battle  took  place  near  Springfield,  in  the  Southern  portion 
of  Missouri,  in  Greene  county. 

The  Confederate  forces  were  commanded  by  Gen.  Ben.  McCulloh  and  Gen. 
Price.  The  Federal  troops  by  General  Lyons  and  Gen.  Siegle.  Gen.  Lyons 
attacked  our  encampment  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  August,  at  break  of 
day,  with  14000  men  and  18  pieces  of  heavy  artillery,  having  received  large 
reinforcements  within  a  few  days  previous.  The  attack  was  made  simulta- 
neously at  bar  different  points,  Gen.  Lyon  on  the  West,  Gen.  Siegle  on  the 
South,  and  Gen.  Sturgis  on  the  North,  and  another  column  on  the  East,  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Sweeney. 

Our  troops  were  taken  somewhat  by  surprise,  but  in  hot  baste  formed  for 
battle.     The  forces  engaged  were  about  equal  on  both  sides,  but  the  enemy 
had  largely   the  advantage  in  position  aud  artillery.     The  awful  tun 
death  now  commenced.     The  cannonading  was  most  terrible  and  the  daugh- 
ter on  both  sides  immense.     In  quick  succession  our  host  marshalled  for  the 


1,;  EEHtOKl  <>K  THH  KY  \  •<].{  I  MS. 


.1  conflict,  and  bared  their  hreav  •  .1  battle.     The  Louis- 

Arkansiana  an-1  Miwanrians  toh  other  <»n  th;- 

nn«l  bloody  ■  six  bog  hours  the  palm  >-t  victory  remained  undi 

y  tbe  M 

and  Ark-am.  :i  had 

a  strong  force  oi  regal . 

The  M  Louisiana  troopi  at  the  Boutfa,  aoi 

Weightmah'e  brie  ling  his  fine  battery 

of  artillery,  having  been  vfctorioU  at  each  ]>oint.  rallied  to  the  heigh ta  00  the 

b  bad  borne  the  brunt  of  the 
up  to  this  time  for  live  or  buc  hoi  rted. 

Qgaged  in  gallantly  urging 
forward  the  COlun  ly  wounded  and  taken  from 

the  lie!  ghtly  wounded,  but  not  disabled.     He  con- 

tinued to  lead  bis  wing  on  Weigntman  now  filed  his 

column  in  on  the  right  ofCoL  Eughes'  State  regiment,  which  lost  a  great  ma- 
ny men  m  i  ment     Gen.    Weightman   1  11   here  mortally  wounded 

i  all  over  with  wound-.    Meanwhile, 
and  Confederal' 
routed  reetion,  except  od  the  heights  West,  where  Gen.  Lyon  com- 

manded in  person,  and  made  his  last  most  desperate  struggle.     Gen.  1'. 

vaiiecd  with  bifl  battery  of  four  pier  ;  terrific  lire 

into  the  enemy's  right,  while   Woodruff's  Arkansas  battery   moved   down  to 
At  this  important  point ol  time,  Gen,  MeCullochcameupand  direct- 
m  to  charge  Totten'a  battery  in  front,  and  the  Arkansas 
on  the  right  flank.    This  was,  perhaps,  the 
and  lin.  ir  poured  out  upon  the  ranks  of  an  American  army.     On 

both  Bid  re  mowed  the  ripe  harvest  before  a  devour- 

ing lire.     The  regiment  of  Col.  Hughes'  State  troops,-  and  Col.  Mdbftosh's  A:  - 
tent,  suffered  severely.     Sere  Ge&  Lyon  was  killed.    Totten'a 
mtheherigl  altered  m  flight    This 

ended  the  bl  of  this  memorable  day.     The  South  tons  here  gained  a 

d  victory.    They  held  the  field  of  battli — captu  ■  n  ol'theene- 

amnumition,  and   several   stand  of  colors,  and  a 
lantity  of  good  Gen,  Lyon's  dead  body  was  given  np  to  his  chief 

a.    The  command  oi  the  en  my1!  forces  now  devolved  on  Gen.  Siegel. 
an<i  be  com:.  gfield,  hotly  pursued  by  thi 

federates.      Ee  made  no  delay  at  Springfield,  but  passed  on  at  foil  spc<  •  i 

left  theOonf  battle  field  and  town,  with  all  the  booty. 

;  the  blpodi  .  Our  troops   were 

.  treachery,  and  hurried  into  the  fight  unprepared.    Cut  they  cal- 
ked to  the  call  of  McCulloch  and  Price,  and  fought  with  a  desperation  that 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 


knows  no  defeat.     The  loss  on  our  side  was  heavy,  but  nothing  in  compari- 
son to  that  of  the  enemy. 

Gen.  Ben.  McCulloch,  the  hero  of  this  bloody  battle,  is  a  native  of  North 
Carolina;  he  was  born  in  Tlalilax  county,  where  many  of  his  relatives  still 
reside.  He  emigrated  to  the  West  when  quite  a  young  man.  aud  there 
among  the  dangers  and  vicissitudes  of  a  pioneer  hie.  he  has  become  a  noted 
warrior.  Spending  a  great  part  of  his  life  in  the  wild  woods  of  Texea  among 
the  Indians,  he  has  seen  many  a  hard  fight  as  a  ranger.  The  war  hoop  of 
the  savages  has  no  terror  lor  him.  When  this  unholy  war  broke  out  he 
marched  to  the  rescue  of  his  Couutry  in  Missouri,  and  met  General  Lyon  at 
Springfield  on  the  10th  of  August,  1801,  and  defeated  him,  and  gained  one  of 
the  greatest  victories  on  record.  Though  the  Confederates  gained  the  day  in 
this  battle,  yet,  it  was  a  dear  bought  victory,  many  brave  Southern  patriots 
falling  in  defence  of  their  rights.  The  State  of  Missouri  had  been  overrun 
by  the  vandals,  her  peaceful  citizens  insulted— their  homes  desecrated,  and 
their  property  destroyed  by  their  enemies.  But  they  met  their  foes  face  to 
face  at  Springfield,  determined  to  avenge  their  wrongs.  The  memorable  day 
will  tell  to  future  ages  how  nobly  they  discharged  their  duty.  Many  of  the 
of  Arkansas  and  Texas  fell  there,  and  gave  their  lives  a  sacri- 
fice in  defence  of  Missouri.  But  many  of  (he  enemy,  who  marched  proudly 
there  for  conquest  and  to  trample  upon  the  rights  of  freemen,  were  doomed 
i  a  bloody  death'  at  Springfield. 

Gen.  Lyon  Fought  in  this  battle  with  desperate  valor,  and  was  killed  while 
making  a  third  heroic  effort  to  rally  his  men.  He  mel  a  better  fate  than  he 
ed  in  thus  falling  on  a  field  of  battle.  He  was  the  pet  of  the  Lincoln 
dynasty  in  Missouri,  and  had  plotted  assassination  and  butchery  upon  women 
and  children,  it  is  said  If  tree,  he  deserved  torture,  and  a  more  lingering  and 
shameful  death.  The  retreat  of  the  Federals  after  his  death,  th 
town,  was  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet — the  pursuers  walking  on  i 
the  whole  length  of  the  street 

The  i  tinned    their   retreat   in    great   haste— making  a   march   of 

dining  the  night— they  were  pursued  by  Texas  and  Arkan- 
alry  for  a  gretd  distance,  mowing  them  down  as  thev  went.    McCul- 
loeh  and  Price  displayed  all  die  ei  era  in  this  engagement 

conded  by  as  brave  men  as  ever  fought  for  freedom,     Their  ar- 
my was  composed  of  brave  M,, -out ians,  who  had  already  felt  the  hi 
:"■  and  tin  1  the  heaviest  loss  in  the   battle.     The  Ad 

andTexa  nrerecomp  t  wealthy  citizens  of  these  States. 

■  worth  the,  I  notacha  tothes  or  a  single 

tent  in  their  pockets,  who  hail  gone  loitli  to  ootism,   and    to     I 

of  white  men  on  their  own  soil. 
The  foroea  on  ]..  were  about  equal  in  number--,   about    14,000  men. 

■boot  six  hours,  Mid  the   enemy    wa=    repulsed    and   driven 


18  HHTlftCf  Of  THi:  KFV..I  T-'II 

from  the  field  with  the  loss  of  six  pieces  of  artillery,  several  hundred  si 
small  anna,  BOO  killed,  LOOd  woon  00  taken  prisoners,  with  the  loss 

era!  prominent  officers.     Our  lo:--  killed,  800  wounded     i 

-  Dg. 

at  battle.    There  can  be  no 

doubt,  hut  it  no,  and  that  the  Southerners  fought  with  d 

ationa:  the  full   particulars  w 

future  day.     <  »ak  Hill,  near  Springfield,  will  be   associated  with  the  nil 

the  he-  II  there  in  defence  of  their"  homes  and 


(AITIKi:  OF  CAPE  HATTERAS,  X.  C. 

A  fleet  of  1  5  \  ■  1  from  Old  Point  OD  the  26th  ol   August,    1861, 

with  about  12,000  Fankees  on  board,  and  arrived  in  Elatteraa  Inlet  on  the 

the  bombardment  of  the  two  forts,  Hatteras  and  Clark 

mat  had- been  hastily  thrown, op  by  the  Confederates  fort!  t  ol  the 

[nlet  is  situated  on  what  is  called  the  North  Banks,  six  miles 

South  oi  Cape  Hatteras  and  about  eighteen  miles  North  ol  [nlet 

as,  which  is<  d  with  Hyde  county,  though  separated  from  it  by 

>  Sound,  and  is  thirty  miles  distant  by  water  from  Wa  N  I   . 

and  about  to  .       from  Newborn.    At  the  time  the  Federal  Beet 

arrived  in  Hatteras,  Col  Martin  bad  just  taken  Ehe  command,  Major  Andrews, 

ofG  mmanding  the  Batteries.    The  Forts  had  only  twelve  Ghms 

badly  mounted,  I  !    Hatteras  and  four  at  Foil  Clark.     Thj 

.  •  :y  badly  mounted  and  incapable  of  being  managed  tO  any  advantage. 

At  the  time  ol  lh<  oly  a  few  men  were  stationed  there.    Col.  Martin 

:.  Island  lor  four  other  companies  of  hi 
man'],  which  arrived  on  Wednesday  evening.    The  Washington  Graj 

I  apt  Johnston;  and  the  Hertford  Light  Infan- 
pt  Sharp.    With  thi  •  i the  commanders  determined  I 

the  enemy  battle,  though  Iheir  works  were  known  to  be  in  a  poor  a 

for  defence,  but  they  were  determined  to  defend  it  tO the  last  extremity.     The 
attack  OOmmeno  1  aboirl  9  O'clock,  nnd  continued  until   sun  down,  with  most 

terrific  fury,  our  little  Batteries  gallantly  replying  to  their  fire  all  day. 
At  night,  the  fleet  seemed  to  haul  oft)  but  the  bombardment  was  renewed 
with  ten-fold  rigor  next  morning  at  8  o'clock,      Every  means   of  del, 
our  men  was  BOOH  demolished. 

The  guns  of  the  enemy  burled  shell  and  shot  in  the  very  midst  of'OU.r  men, 

I  out  brave  hoy:-  returned  the  fire  as  best  they  could. 
All  possibility  of  retreat  was  cut  off  on  Wednesday  night  by  the  landing  of 
twelve  or  1500  men  about  a  mile  north  of  the  forte,  which  cut  oft'  all  hope  of 
escape  for  our  men  by  way  of  the  Banks.     The  superiority  of  the  enemy's 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  19 

guns  enabled  them  to  keep  out  of  the  reach  of  our  guns.  The  little  steamer, 
General  Hill,  had  arrived  with  ammunition  and  a  few  additional  men,  but  it 
was  too  late  to  afford  relief  to  our  men,  as  the  guns  were  entirely  too  small  to 
reach  the  enemy  at  the  distance  they  stood  off.  On  Wednesday  the  damage 
done  to  our  force  was  small,  but  on  Thursday  it  was  severe.  The  firing  con- 
tinued until  11  o'clock,  when  our  brave  boys  were  compelled  to  surrender 
Fort  Hatteras — Fort  Clark  had  previously  been  taken.  The  loss  on  our  side 
was  seven  killed  and  twenty-eight  wounded — Lieuts.  Murdock  and  Knight 
were  wounded  and  carried  away  on  Wednesday,  and  a  few  others  escaped 
also.  About  850  men  were  taken  prisoners,  with  many  of  our  best  officers) 
Commodore  Barrow,  Cols.  Buford,  Martin  and  Johnston,  Majors  Andrews 
and  Gilliam.  Man}'  of  the  brave  officers  and  men  taken  prisoners  in  this  en- 
gagement were  the  first  3'oung  meu  in  the  Eastern  counties  of  North  Caroli- 
na, and  their  loss  is  severely  lamented  by  many  friends  in  their  native  State. 
The  Yankee  forces,  in  this  engagement,  were  under  the  command  of  the  fa- 
mous Picayune  Butler,  of  yankee  celebrity  ;  and  great  rejoicing  was  had  in  the 
North  at  his  first  victory  in  capturing  these  forts  on  the  coast  of  North  Caro. 
lina.  The  wounded  soldiers  on  our  side  reported  that  about  11  o'clock  our 
magazines  were  exploded  by  a  shell  from  the  enemy,  which  scattered  death 
and  destruction  all  around.  It  is  to  this  unfortunate  casualty  that  the  capture 
of  the  fort  is  attributed. 

The  unfinished  condition  of  the  forts,  and  the  guns  being  too  small  to  reach 
the  enemy,  were  great  disadvantages  to  our  side.  It  was  not  a  want  of 
bravery  in  our  men,  nor  lack  of  skill  in  the  officers  in  command,  that  this  un- 
fortunate affair  took  place.  Cape  Hatteras  is  still  in  possession  of  the  Feder- 
als, and  a  Yankee  force  is  still  stationed  there,  and  no  doubt  have  a  most  un- 
pleasant situation,  as  they  are  cut  off  entirely  from  the  main  land,  and  situated 
on  a  dreary  barren  spot  composed  chiefly  of  sand.  The  north  wind  sweeps 
across  the  Island  with  a  fury  and  keenness  in  winter  that  no  garments  will 
afford  adequate  protection  from.  During  the  summer  months  the  musquitoes 
abound  with  a  blood  thirsty  spirit  that  gives  no  peace  to  those  who  are  com- 
pelled to  stay  there.  The  greatest  difficulty  to  surmount  is  the  want  of  fresh 
water,  so  important  for  drinking  and  culinary  purposes — every  drop  our 
troops  used  was  carried  from  Newborn.  So  the  Yankees  have  not  gained  much 
by  taking  Cape  Hatteras.  Some  of  the  prisoners  taken  have  since  been  re- 
leased and  scut  home. 


BATTLE  OF  LEXINGTON,  MISSOUKI. 

The  battle  of  Lexington,  Missouri,  was  a  trb  'T  if>ns  victory  on  our  side. 
According  to  the  account  given  by  the  enemy,  they  lost  in  killed  and  wound- 
ed and  taken  prisoners  .'5,500  men,  with  3000  howe^  arms,  artillery,  ammuni- 


li"  )II.-i"KV   OF    1111     KI.VmUUOX, 

tion  and  camp  eqyippage  t6  an  immense  amount.     This  was  the  second  great 

■       i;i    whjph   1 1  j ■  after  a  hard 

.  is  about  120  miles  I; 

a  a  high  Mi. if  nn  tin-  South  .-;.  ■  ''  and  contains 

abput  12,1(00  inhaliita:  .-.nd  in  possession  of  ■ 

eral  force  commanded  '  I  illigan.     The  siege  commenced  on  the  14th 

,  L861,  by  General  Price,  commander  of  the  Coofederab 
General  Pri(  I  Gen.  Mulligan,  the  commander  of  the  Yankee  worlds, 

that  be  would  givi-  him  until  the  16th,  in  the  alt. 

and  works  ■  •  I  battle.    The  fust  be  refused  to  do,  and 

was  compelled  to  accept  the  latter. 

The  Yankee  force  consisted  of  s\fi00  men,  Col.   Mulligan's  Irish  B 
from  Chicago.  EUil  I         Mai.-hal's  Cavalry;  Ool.  IYabody's,   Major    1 

and  other  Regiments  from  Illinois.    The  officers  oftbeee  regiments  were  men 
al  military  experience :  several  of  them  were  graduates  of  Weal  Point, 

and  had  under  their  command  a  splendid  army  of -well  disciplined  men.  The 
siege  continued  fifty-nine  hours,  and  the  enemy  were  without  water,  with  only 
three  barrels  of  vinegar  to  allay  their  thirst.  Their  breast  work  extended 
nearly  around  their  camp-,  but  a  portion  next   to  the  river  was  left  open.      It 

re  the  hardest  fighting  took  place.  The  Confederates  finding  this  place 
to  be  open,  procured  a  large  number  of  hemp  bales  and  rolled  them  in  ad- 
vance of  them,  and  under  this  cover,  gradually  secured  this  Space,  and  thus 
gut  in  the  rear  of  the  enemy,  cutting  oil'  their  water,  and  completely  sur- 
rounding them.     Thus  Gen.  Mulligan,  with  all  his  strong  fortifications,    WAS 

to  surrender.  But  previous  to  the  surrender,  he  proposed  tev General 
Price  to  take  a  position  on  a  level,  in  open  ground,  and  take  a  lair  light.  This 
offer,  General  Price  refused  to  accept,  and  forced  him  to  surrender.  The  Con- 
federate boss  Was  small  in  comparison  to  that  of  the  enemy,  though  it  was  B 
hard-fought  battle.  They  were  lumpidled  to  make  the  attack  without  any- 
thing to  protect  them.  An  immense  amount  of  gold,  about $250,000, fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  Confederates,  it  had  been  taken  from  the  Bank  and  buried 
in  the  camp  ground  by  order  of  Gen.  Mulligan.  The  Confederates  soon  found 
its  burial  place  and  iai-ed  it. 

It  is  said  that  Mulligan  wept  like  a  child  when  he  found  himself  compelled 
to  surrender  bis  grand  army  with  all  their  valuable  stores  and  camp  ('(imp- 
page.  The  morning  alter  the  surrender,  the  men  were  all  ferried  over  the 
nver  and  released  on  parole,  but  the  officers  were  retained  as  prisoners.  The 
jiment  of  Illinois  Cavalry  were  badly  cut  up — their  horses  and  all  their 
arms  were  retained  by  Gen.  Price.  This  was  a  hard-fought  battle.  The  brave 
Missourians  led  on  by  the  intrepid  Trice,  when  they  mounted  the  breast 
works,  mad  with  joy,  soon  gave  the  invaders  to  know  that  Liberty  or  death 
was  their  motto. 

The  name  of  this,  the  second  battlebof  LexingtoD,  fought  for  Liberty,  will 


HISTOKY  OF  TT[K  REVOLUTION.  21 


remain  on  the  pages  of  future  history,  as  one  among  the  greatest  battles  in 
this  Revolution.  The  name  of  Price  and  his  heroic  followers,  will  stand  side 
by  side  with  the  long  list  of  patriotic  heroes,  who  have  enlisted  in  the  glori- 
ous cause  of  defending  their  homes  from  the  invasion  of  the  vandal  hidings  of 
a  corrupt  and  wicked  government.  The  brave  sons  of  Missouri  and  Arkan- 
sas, that  now  sleep  the  long  sleep  of  death  on  that  glorious  field  of  strife,  will 
be  remembered  by  their  comrades  and  friends  for  their  brave  deeds  of  self- 
sacrifice,  and  fame  will  record  the  name  of  Price,  and  his  gallant  followers, 
high  on  its  grand  pages,  among  the  many  noble  patriots,  who  have  won  lau- 
rels of  undying  glory  in  the  cause  of  Southern  Independence. 


BATTLE  OF    LEESBUKG,  VIRGINIA,  FOUGHT  OC- 
TOBER 21st,  1861. 

This  was  undoubtedly  the  great  battle  of  the  campaign.  Bethel,  Manassas. 
Springfield,  Lexington  and  others,  were  great;  but  in  some  particulars,  Lees- 
burg  outstrips  them  all.  This  action  was  hotly  contested,  for  a  whole  day, 
against  fearful  odds  in  favor  of  the  enemy.  Another  superior  advantage  the 
enemy  had,  it  was  fought  on  our  side  without  the  aid  of  artillery  and  without 
any  entrenchments,  while  they  had  both  these  advantages.  Much  is  due  to 
the  skill  of  Gen.  Evans,  the  commander,  and  consummate  daring  and  bravery 
of  our  men. 

A  report  reached  Gen.  Evans  on  Monday  morning,  that  the  enemy,  in  large 
force,  were  crossing  the  river  at  Edward's  Ferry.  The  13th  Mississispi  Re- 
giment was  sent  down  from  Leesburg  to  keep  them  in  check,  and  our  Gen- 
eral believing  that  the  heaviest  portion  of  the  enemy's  forces  would  cross  at 
that  point,  also  sent  the  18th  Mississippi  regiment  there.  It  turned  out, 
however,  that  another  place  was  chosen  some  two  miles  higher  up  the  river, 
where  the  channel  is  from  170  to  200  yards  wide  and  not  i'ordable. 

The  enemy,  however,  crossed  in  skiffs  and  flat  boats,  and  the  first  engage- 
ment in  this  great  battle  commenced  here  between  the  8th  Virginia  regiment 
ami  the  advanced  columns  of  the  enemy.  The  skirmishing  was  very  sharp 
for  some  time,  and  the  18th  Mississippi  hearing  the  firing,  marched  in  double 
quick  time  to  the  seme  ol   action,  tin'  L3th  still  remaining  at  the  ferry. 

The  grand  and  closing  fight  oi  tin-  day  took  place  about  4  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  when  the  enemy  made  a  desperate  stand  on  the  river.  In  a  clear 
space,  between  two  growths  of  thick  forests,  our  three  regiments,  the  8lh 
Virginia,  and  17th  and  18th  Mississippi  had  the  enemy  partially  surrounded. 
forming  a  kind  of  semi-circle  trap,  from  which  the  victim  had  no  way  of  escape, 
except  by  the  river,  or  through  the  woods,  on  ilie  right  and  left.  The  latter 
alternative  was  adopted  l,y  BOtnd,  who  Were  afterwards  captured,  The  fight- 
ing  now  beeame  terrible.  The  contending  forces  were  in  close  proximity  to 
each  other  and  engaged  hand  to  hand  in  the  deadly  Strife 


22 


BI8TOBY  OF  Till:  REVOLUTION. 


Not  only  bullets  and  bayonets  were  used,  but  also  bowie  knives,  with  tear- 
ful effect  upon  the  enemy.  The  latter  finding  they  were  overpowered,  made 
an  effort  to  reach  tbeir  boats,  which  many  succeeded  in  doing,  but  the  rush 
was  so  great  that  several  boats  were  sunk,  and  the  panic-stricken  Yankees,  in 
large  numbers,  found  a  watery  grave.  They  only  escaped  the  deadly  weap- 
ons of  the  heroic  Southern  boys,  who  were  defending  their  lights,  and  their 
homes  from  invasion,  to  sink  beneath  the  waves  of  the  river.  We  have  no 
means  of  ascertaining  how  many  reached  the  Island,  but  we  know  that  hun- 
dreds failed  in  the  attempt.  Those  who  were  left  on  shore,  laid  down  their 
arms  and  surrendered,  and  thus  terminated  the  bloody  battle  of  Leesbnrg. — 
The  entire  casualty  on  our  side  is  given  by  General  Beauregard  to  President 
Davis,  based  on  Gen.  Evans'  report,  which  states  our  loss  to  be  27  killed  and 
120  wounded.  The  Federal  loss  is  set  down  by  the  same  high  authority,  to 
lie  1200  killed,  wounded  and  captured. 

The  fighting  on  our  side  is  described  as  being  terrific.  In  the  thickest  of 
the  fight,  the  Mississippi  troops,  throwing  aside  their  muskets,  knapsacks,  and 
even  hats,  charged  upon  the  Yankees  with  their  bowie  knives,  making  the 
attack  with  yells  of  rage  and  exeitement.  The  enemy  made  two  distinct  at- 
tacks upon  our  lines.  At  one  time  in  the  action,  for  the  space  of  about  twen- 
ty minutes,  the  battle  raged  with  the  two  opposing  forces  within  thirty  feet 
of  each  other.  The  enemy  attempted  to  reach  us  with  their  bayonets  at  two 
different  times.  But  each  time  they  were  held  in  check  by  the  steady  fire  of 
our  troops.  When  our  turn  came  to  charge  bayonets,  they  rushed  upon  the 
enemy  with  a  fury  that  swept  them  into  the  most  indescribable  disorder,  and 
panic-stricken,  they  fled  in  the  utmost  confusion.  Gen.  Evans  and  his  brave 
troops  have  added  another  brilliant  victory  on  Virginia's  soil.  The  Yankees 
have  been  unsuccessful  in  every  attempt  along  the  Potomac.  At  Bethel,  Ma- 
nassas and  Leesburg,  they  have  met  with  signal  defeat,  and  thus  far  gained 
nothing  towards  puttiug  down  rebellion  in  the  old  Dominion.  It  is  true,  they 
have  been  victorious  in  some  small  skiiinishes  in  Western  Virginia,  but  there 
too,  they  arc  held  now  by  the  Confederates  from  advancing. 

Gen.  Winfield  Scott  finding  his  native  State  too  noble  to  submit  to  the  will 
of  such  a  truant  son,  after  the  warm  reception  they  gave  him  on  the  plains  of 
Manassas  on  the  21st  of  July,  resigned  his  Commission  as  Commander,  and 
Gen.  McClellan  is  now  commander. 

Gen.  Scott  will  never  again  be  owned  by  Virginia  as  her  son — his  name 
and  his  memory  will  be  held  in  disgrace  by  all  true  Southern  meu  to  the  latest 
ages  of  posterity  in  the  Confederate  States  of  North  America. 


BATTLE  OF  POET  KOYAL,  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

The  capture  of  Port  Royal,  S.  C,  by  a  large  Federal  fleet,  commanded  by 
Commodore  Dupont,  took  place  on  the  7th  of  November,  1861.  A  large  fleet, 
consisting  of  thirty-six  steamers,  appeared  in  sight  of  the  (ort,  and  commenc- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  23 


ed  moving  slowly  towards  our  batteries  on  Tnursday  morning,  about  8  o'clock. 
The  long  roll  was  immediately  beat,  and  in  three  minutes  every  man  was  at 
his  post.  One  of  the  largest  steamers,  supposed  to  be  the  Minnesota,  wis 
rapidly  steaming  in,  followed  by  three  other  smaller  ones.  When  within  full 
range,  and  nearly  abreast  our  batteries,  the  order  was  given  to  open  fire  with 
our  32  pounder  Rifle  Gun.  Unfortunately,  the  shell  exploded  within  a  hun- 
dred yards  of  the  beach, .  and  did  no  damage  to  the  enemy.  A  heavy  fire 
was  then  opened  with  our  heaviest  guns.  The  steamers  returned  the  fire 
briskly,  and  the  engagement  now  became  general.  The  light  breeze  blowing 
on  shore  at  the  tune,  was  favorable  to  the  licet;  the  .smoke  from  their  guns 
being  driven  directly  in  the  face  of  our  troops  in  the  battery,  at  Fort  Walker. 
The  huge  volume  of  smoke  thus  poured  forth,  at  times,  completely  concealed 
the  near  approach  of  the  vessels  from  the  view  of  our  men  in  the  forts.  The 
manceuvreing  of  the  vessels  was  admitted  by  some  of  our  best  naval  officers 
to  have  been  grandly  executed.  As  quickly  as  our  batteries  obtained  the 
range  of  the  enemy's  vessels  to  bear  effectually  on  them,  they  changed  their 
position,  and  our  artillerist  were  compelled  to  get  the  range  of  their  guns  by 
practice  again.  About  half  past  nine,  the  entire  fleet  was  observed  to  move 
slowly,  and  in  a  few  minutes,  ten  or  twelve  of  the  largest  of  the  fleet  had 
opened  fire  on  both  Fort  Walker  and  Beauregard,  delivering  their  broadsides 
alternately. 

The  firing  on  both  forts  was  very  heavy,  with  one  continued  shower  of 
shell  and  shot  falling  into  the  Forts  and  knocking  down  men  in  every  direction. 
Some  have  estimated  that  as  many  as  fifty  shells  bursted  inside  the  fort  in  a 
minute.  But  unfortunately  for  our  men,  at  an  early  period  in  the  action,  the 
large  ten  inched  columbiad,  in  Fort  Walker,  became  altogether  unmanagea- 
ble, and  could  not  be  used  again  during  the  action.  The  storm  of  iron  hail 
that  came  hissing  through  the  air  from  the  fleet,  after  this  accident,  is  beyond 
description.  Providentially,  however,  up  to  12  o'clock,  not  a  man,  on  our 
side,  had  been  killed,  though  many  hair-breadth-  escapes  had  been  noticed. 
But  against  such  fearful  odds,  it  was  plain  that  our  brave  men  in  the  Forts,  could 
not  hold  out.  The  enemy  had  largely  the  advantage  in  heavy  guns,  and  were 
rapidly  closing  in  upon  us.  Our  brave  Southern  heroes  fought  with  desperate 
bravery,  but  the  shells  and  shot  began  to  mow  down  their  comrades  on  every 
Bide.  The  vessels  were  closing  in  on  all  sides  with  superior  guns  and  vast 
numbers.  Our  guns  and  works  were  both  severely  damaged,  and  there  was 
no  other  alternative  but  to  retreat.  But  when  the  order  was  given,  the  he- 
roes were  unwilling  to  give  it  up,  and  many  endeavored  to  secure  their  small 
arms,  which  had  been  buried  in  the  sand  during  the  action.  A  positive  order 
was  given  to  leave  them  behind,  some  sixty  or  seventy,  however,  were 
brought'away. 

There  were  217  men  in  the  forts,  of  whom  130  belonged  to  the  German 
Artillery  of  Charleston.     There  was  eleven  killed  and  fifteen  wounded  inside 


24  iii-i.'kY  of  tiik  Ki:v<'i.rn    .. 

the  for-  a  former  and  eleven  of  the  latter  belonged  to  the  German 

Artillery.  The  total  loss  on  our  side  was  1  oil  men  killed  ami  wounded.    Colonel 
■.   i  otmnander  of  the  Porta  intl 
ved  abont  1<>  o'clock,  anfl  took  the  oommand    Commo- 
Ltnalla  fleet  was  to  the  full  extent  of  its  powers,  i 

are  loud  in  praising  the  daring  of  its  hi  In  fleet 

was  under  the  command  ofS.  V.  Dupont,  fla  and  he  had  a  very  large 

fleet  of  Wai  E  well  supplied  with  men  ami  heavy  guns,  which  play- 

ed so  severely  on  I  with  shot  ami  shell,  as  to  force  our  gallant  little 

band  to  lea  ■  ...  and  abandon  them  t"  the 

enemy. 

troops  were  withdrawn  by  their  brave  commanders,  I  'await  theland- 

the  invaders,  as  there  •■•  i  ssible  chance  of  holding  it  any  longer. 

ith-  west  of  Charleston,  on  I  ire,  ami 

at  the:  was]    orly  fortified,  and  was  neither  supplied  with 

The  heroic  Kttld  band  stationed  there, 
with  all  the  bravery  ami  skill  human  nature  is  capable  of  displaying, 
but  w  •    iperior  force,  and  compelled  to  give  up. 

The  enemy  in  capturing  this  pla"  considerable  supply  of  i 

cotton,  negroes  and  other  property,  amounting,  in  value,  to  a  large  sum  of 
money.    This  large  fleet  wa  Sooth  for  the  express  purpose,  no  doubt, 

of  capturing  our  si  forta     But  a  terrible  storm,  a.1  n  after 

red  this  great   armada  and    wrecked   some  of  their   "■ 

( )U(.  |a.  ..  !  armada,  ran  ashore  "ti  the  i 

North  Carolina,  and  all  the  Fan  :  ard  wece  taken  prisoners  I 

X.  B.  Vance's  regiment.  Thus,  it  seems,  the  hand  of  Providence  was  against 
the  invaders  in  this  grand  enterprise. 

'j'l,,.  invaders  still  liai  on  of  Port.  Royal,  and  several  small  sfcirtnish- 

0_c  ],:iv,  en  plaoebetween  them  and  the  Confederate  troops  stationed 

near,  bo  watch  their  movements.     Port  Royal  was  considered  by  the  enemy, 

no  doubt,  as  a  weak  place,  whieh  WSS  the  reason  Oi  the  attack  at  that  point. 

They  passed  by  Charleston  and  captured  this  small  port  jus!  bedSuse  it  was 
pooriy. fortified,  lint  they  have  not  gained  much  ground  in.ftouthOarelina 
by  this  conquest  To  read  the  glowing  accounts  in  the  Northern  reports  of 
Cornrao  one  would  Buppose  he  had 'got  possession  of 

the  entire  coast  Bui  this  was  a  dear  bougfal  victory  to  the  Yankees,  and  to 
hold  possession  of  it  long  will  be  equally  as  costly  to  the  Lincoln  dynasty  at 
Washington. 


BATTLE  ()K  P.KLMOXT,  NEAR  COLLTMBUS,  KV. 
This,  the  first  great  battle  in  Kentucky  for  freedom,  took  place  on  the  7th 
of  November,  1861.     The  State  of  Kentucky  had  not  seceded  from  the  fed- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  25 


eral  Union,  but  maintained  that  she  could  occupy  a  kind  of  neutral  ground  and 
take  neither  side,  as  she  was  a  border  State,  her  citizens  believing  that  she 
would  be  made  the  battle  ground  between  the  two  contending  parties.  Many 
of  the  people  of  Kentucky  were  with  the  South  in  sympathy,  but  stood  back 
dreading  the  fatal  consequences  to  their  State.  The  President  of  the  United 
States  warned  them  in  his  message  that  ho  would  not  acknowledge  a  state  of 
neutrality.  The  Governor  of  the  State  had  forbid  either  party  from  invading 
his  State.  But  President  Lincoln,  regardless  of  this,  invaded  the  State  to  keep 
down  rebellion.  The  citizens  resisted,  and  here  the  great  struggle  begun. — 
The  State  and  Confederate  forces  were  under  the  command  of  Gen.  Leonidas 
Polk,  and  met  the  invaders  at  Columbus,  commanded  by  Gen.  Grant. 

A  bloody  battle  ensued.  There  can  be  fio  doubt  but  the  best  troops  of  Lin- 
coln's army  in  the  West,  were  in  this  great  fight.  General  Polk  command- 
ed as  noble  a  body  of  Kentucky  soldiers  as  ever  marched  to  the  battle  field. 
The  Kentucky  boys  have  achieved  the  soldiers  highest  fame  in  all  the  great 
battles  of  the  past  in  our  country.  The  loss  of  the  enemy  is  estimated  al  258 
killed  and  left  on  the  field;  carried  100  away  on  boats,  150  killed  on  the  boats 
as  they  were  embarking,  making  a  total  killed  578.  About  100  prisoners  were 
taken,  with  a  large  number  wounded  and  taken  to  the  hospital.  An  incident 
ic  conduct  is  related  in  connection  with  the  first  heavy  charge  that  our 
columns  made  upon  the  enemy.  When  the  two  opposing  columns  were  face 
to  face,  Col.  Walker's  regiment  was  opposed  to  the  7th  Iowa  regiment,  David 
Yolner,  a  private  in  Walker's  regiment,  told  a  comrade  he  intended  to  capture 
the  Stars  and  stripes  from  the  enemy,  or  die  in  the  attempt.  As  the  two  co- 
lumns came  near  each  other,  young  Volner  and  a  man  by  the  name  of  Lynch, 
both  rushed  for  the  colors.  Volner  grasped  it  first  and  waived  it  over  his 
head  in  triumph.  At  this  moment  he  and  Lynch  were  both  shot  dead.  Capt. 
Armstrong  now  rushed  forward  to  secure  the  prize,  and  fell  dead  also  grasp- 
ing it.  The  colors  were  secured,  but  three  brave  Kentuckians  lost  their  lives 
in  the  attempt  Our  loss  in  this  great  battle  was  small,  and  we  gained  a  de- 
cided victory.  The  enemy  fled  from  the  field,  and  rushed  for  their  boats. 
Our  men  pursued  them  about  two  miles,  but  were  ordered  back  when  they 
gained  their  boatc. 

An  officer  was  detached  with  80  men  to  scour  the  woods  and  pick  up  the 
wounded  That  officer  reported  that  he  found  none  but  Federals ;  but  they 
w<ic  in  such  numbers  that  he  could  only  Lake  back  a  few,  and  return  again 
for  others.  In  one  corn  field  the  dead  and  wounded  lay  thick  as  stumps  in  a 
new  field.  Some  think  this  field  contained  as  many  as  200  men  dead  and 
wounded.  They  were  most  of  the  Glh  Iowa  regiment.  The  Lieut.  Colonel 
and  three  captains  were  killed.  Thus  the  vandals  met  a  signal  defeat  in  their 
first  attempt  to  subjugate  the  noble  State  of  Kentucky. 


26  HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 


SKETCH  OF  THE  LIFE  OF  JEFFERSi  >\  DAVIS. 

It  may  be  interesting  to  many  to  have  a  short  sketch  of  the  life  of  President 
Davis,  as  be  is  now  elected  President  of  the  Confederate  States  for  six  years: 
a  high  position  that  he  will  no  doubt  fill  with  distinction,  as  his  life  lias  been 
one  distinguished  both  as  a  soldier  ami  a  statesman. 

Few  men  have  led  a  life  more  filled  with  stirring  or  eventful  incidents  than 
Jefferson  Davis.  He  was  born  in  the  State  of  Kentucky  in  tin'  year  1S0G. — 
Ilis  father  removed  to  Mississippi,  then  a  Territory,  when  Jefferson  was  quite 
a  youth,  and  was  trained  up  a  pioneer  in  the  wilds  of  that  savage  region. 
:i  was  appointed  by  President  Monroe  a  cadet  at  West  Point  in  1822. 
idnated  with  first  honors  in  1828,  as  brevet  second  lieutenant,  and  by 
his  own  request,  was  placed  in  active  service,  being  assigned  to  the  command 
of  Col.  Zachary  Taylor,  who  was  stationed  at  West  Point.  Col.  Taylor  was 
soon  called  to  the  West,  and  in  the  frontier  wars  of  that  time,  young  Davis 
distinguished  himself  in  so  marked  a  manner  that  when  a  new  regiment  of 
dragoons  was  formed,  he  at  once  obtained  a  commission  as  first  lieutenant,  as 
a  reward  for  his  bravery. 

During  this  time  a  romantic  attachment  sprang  up  between  him  and  his 
prisoner,  the  famous  chief,  Black  Hawk,  in  which  the  latter  forgot  his  animo- 
sity to  the  United  States  in  his  admiration  of  Lieutenant  Davis;  and  not  until 
the  death  of  the  chief,  was  the  of  bond  amity  severed  between  these  two  brave 
men.  In  1835,  Jefferson  Davis  settled  quietly  down  upon  a  cotton  plantation 
in  Mississippi,  and  forsook  the  dangerous  life  of  a  soldier  to  become  a  farmer, 
and  married  a  daughter  of  Gen.  Zachary  Taylor.  He  then  devoted  himself 
to  a  systematic  course  of  political  and  scientific  training,  and  soon  became  a 
noted  politician.  In  1843,  he  took  the  stump  for  James  K.  Folk  in  Missis- 
sippi, and  in  1845  having  attracted  no  little  attention  in  his  own  State  by  his 
ability,  was  elected  to  Congress. 

Ten  days  after  he  took  his  seat  in  Congress,  he  made  his  first  great  speech 
before  that  distinguished  body  of  statesmen.  But  soon  the  Mexican  war 
broke  out,  and  a  regiment  of  volunteers  having  been  formed  in  Mississippi, 
he  was  chosen  Colonel.  He  resigned  his  seat  in  Congress,  and  instantly  re- 
paired with  his  command  to  join  the  brigade  of  Gen.  Taylor.  At  Monterey 
and  Buena  Vista.  Col.  Davis  and  his  noble  regiment  achieved  the  soldiers 
highest  fame.  Twice  by  his  coolness  and  bravery,  he  saved  the  day  at  Buena 
Vista.  Wherever  the  fire  was  the  hottest,  or  the  dangers  the  greatest,  there 
Col.  Davis  and  the  Mississippi  rifles  were  to  be  found.  He  was  badly  wound- 
ed in  the  early  part  of  the  action  at  Buena  Vista,  but  sat  on  his  horse  steadi- 
ly, till  the  day  was  won,  and  refused  to  leave  the  field  till  all  was  safe.  He 
served  with  great  distinction  through  all  the  bloody  scenes  of  Mexico,  and  re- 
turned home  only  when  peace  was  made,  covered  with  laurels. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION.  27 

In  1848,  he  was  appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy  in  the  U.  S.  Senate  occasioned 
by  the  death  of  Gen.  Speight,  and  in  1850,  he  was  elected  to  that  body  almost 
unanimously  for  the  term  of  six  years.  In  1851,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  the 
Senate  to  become  the  States'  Rights  candidate  for  Governor,  but  was  defeat- 
ed by  Governor  Foote.  In  1852,  he  was  called  to  a  seat  in  the  Cabinet  of 
President  Pierce,  and  was  Secretary  of  War  during  his  administration.  In 
1857,  he  was  again  elected  to  the  United  States  Senate  from  Mississippi  for 
six  years,  which  office  he  held  until  his  resignation  on  the  secession  of  his  State 
from  the  Union. 

Personally,  President  Davis  is  the  last  man  who  would  be  selected  for  what 
has  been  called  a  Southern  "  fire  eater."  He  is  a  pleasant,  quiet  looking  man, 
with  a  precise  manner  and  soldierly  carriage,  which  is  somewhat  forbidding 
to  a  stranger  at  first  sight.  But  he  is  naturally  a  man  of  genial  temper,  and 
pleasant  disposition. 

His  social  qualities  will  endear  him  to  all  who  associate  with  him.  As  a 
public  speaker,  he  is  clear,  forcible  and  argumentative  ;  his  voice  is  clear  and 
linn  without  tremor,  and,  at  times,  when  warmed  up  in  debate,  he  is  very 
eloquent.  He  is  a  man  every  way  fitted  for  the  distinguished  station  he  now 
occupies.  When  the  Southern  States  seceded  from  the  old  Union  in  Febru- 
ary, 1861,  he  was  appointed  by  a  Convention  of  delegates  as  a  Provisional 
President  for  one  year  only.  He  filled  this  high  position  with  such  ability 
that  he  gave  entire  satisfaction  to  all  parties,  and  on  the  5th  day  of  Novem- 
ber, 1SG1,  he  was  unanimously  elected  by  the  people  without  opposition,  Pre- 
sident of  the  Confederate  States  for  six  years,  according  to  the  Constitution 
adopted  by  these  States.  No  man,  since  the  days  of  the  great  Washington, 
has  been  so  highly  honored  as  Jefferson  Davis,  as  to  be  elected  to  this  high  office 
without  opposition.  President  Davis  has  a  fame  as  extensive  as  the  pages  of 
history  can  spread  over  the  civilized  world  as  a  soldier.  His  name  as  a  states- 
man is  soon  destined  to  become  a  household  word  in  every  land,  wherever 
the  name  of  the  Confederate  States  are  known.  Our  young  Republic  is  now 
enrolled  among  the  nations  of  the  earth  as  a  government,  and  the  name  of 
Jefferson  Davis  will  ever  stand  as  the  first  President  of  the  Republic.  Mr. 
Davis,  with  his  Cabinet,  now  reside  in  Richmond,  Virginia,  where  Congress 
holds  its  sessions.  Richmond  will,  perhaps,  be  the  permanent  seat  of  govern- 
ment for  the  Confederate  States. 

No  doubt  Gen.  Scott  confidently  expected,  when  he  made  his  grand  at- 
tack at  Manassas,  to  march  right  through  to  Richmond,  and  take  Pi  ■ 
Davis  a  prisoner,  and  thus  end  tho  rebellion;  but  old  "fuss  and  feathers" 
met  with  a  dreadful  defeat  on  the  21st  of  July,  and  never  saw  Richmond. 
He  has  resigned  his  commission  in  disgrace,  and  Jefferson  Davis  still  re- 
mains in  the  Presidential  chair  in  Richmond. 


28  HIBTOST  0*  THB  EEVOLIJTIOir. 


1K)N.  A.  II.  STEPHENS. 

Am  I  have  given  a  sliort  sketch  of  the  life  President  Davis,  I  will  also  men- 
tion a  few  particulars  concerning  one  a  with  bin  in  the  administra- 
tion of  our  national  affairs.     The  Hon.  Alexander  Hamilton  Stephen. 

:it  elect  of  the  <  B  native  of  Georgia.     This  distin- 

tleman  has  long  been   known   throughout  the  old  Union  as  one 
of  the  most  prominent  Southern  politicians  and  eloquent  orators. 

His  father,  Andrew  B.  Stephens,  was  a  planter  of  moderate  means,  and  his 
mother  was  a  sister  to  the  famous  compiler  of  Orier*!  Almanac.  She  died 
when  Alexander  was  an  infant,  leaving  him  with  four  brothers  and  one  sis- 
ter,  ol  whom  only  one  brother  now  survives.  Hon.  A.  II.  Stephens  was  bom 
in  February,  ls]'j.  When  in  bis  14th  year,  his  lather  died,  and  the  old  home*1 
stead  being  Bold,  his  share  of  the  entire  estate  was  about  five  hundred  dollars. 
i  by  friendSjfae  entered  the  University  of  Georgia  in  1828,  and  in  1832 
graduated  at  the  head  of  his  class.  In  ls:j4.  he  commenced  the  study  of  the 
law,  and  in  leas  than  12  months  was  engaged  in  one  of  the  most  important 

His  eloquence  has  ever  had  a  powerful  effect  upon  juries,  enforcin 
does  arguments  of  admirable  simplicity  and  legal  weight.  From  ls::7  to 
1840,  be  was  a  member  of  the  Georgia  Legislature.  In  1843,  he  was  elect- 
ed to  Congress.  He  was  B  Champion  of  the  great  Wing  party  ill  the  days  of 
Clay  and  Webster;  but  since  its  dissolution,  he  has  acted  with  the  friends  of 
the  South,  and  such  has  been  the  upright  and  patriotic  policy  he  has  pursued, 
that  no  one  in  the  present  era  of  faction,  has  dared  to  whisper  an  acquisition 
against  him.  He  has  filled  the  Vice  President's  chair  ever  since  the  establish- 
ment of  our  government,  and  had  the  distinctive  honor  to  be  elected  on  the 
same  ticket  with  l'v<^.  for  six  years  in  November  last. 

In  the  House  of  Representatives,  Mr.  Stephens  served  on  many  important 
commitie,  ..  Hfl  effected  the  passag-  ol  tin*  Kansas  Nebraska  bill  through  the 
boose  at  a  time  when  its  warmest  friends  despaired  of  success.  By  his  pa- 
triotic course  iu  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  in  times  gone  by,  he  ex- 
cited the  ire  of  many  Southern  men,  but  he  lias  always  succeeded  in  coming 
out  with  flying  colors;  and  bis  recent  election  to  the  second  office  within  the 
gift  of  the  Southern  people,  i8  a  niaik  of  respect  of  their  profound  regard  for 
him  BS  B  man  and  a  Statesman.  Mr.  Stevens  is  one  of  the  most  distinguished 
orators  of  the  present  day,  though  he  does  not  look  like  one  who  can  com- 
mand the  attention  of  an  audience  on  any  topic.  His  health,  from  childhood, 
has  been  very  feeble,  being  afflicted  with  a  liver  disease  which  gives  him  the 
appearance  of  a  consumptive,  though  his  lungs  are  sound. 

Mr.  Stephens  has  never  weighed  over  9G  pounds  in  his  life,  and  to  see  his 
i    dwarf-like  figure  bent  over  his  desk,  you  would  never  suppose  him  to  be  the 
John  Randolph  of  the  present  day,  more  dreaded  as  an  adversary,  or  prized 


HISTORY  OF  THE  REVOLUTION. 


29 


as  an  ally  in  debate  than  any  man,  perhaps,  of  the  times.  When  speaking, 
lie  has  at  first  a  shrill,  sharp  voice,  but  as  lie  warms  up  with  his  subject,  the 
clear  tones  and  powerful  sentences  roll  out  with  a  sonorousness  that  finds  its 
way  to  every  corner  of  an  immense  hall.  He  is  witty,  rhetorical  and  solid, 
and  has  a  dash  of  keen  satire  that  puts  an  edge  on  every  speech  to  his  adver- 
saries. He  is  a  careful  student,  but  no  trace  of  study  is  perceptible  while 
speaking.  He  dashes  along  in  a  flow  of  facts  and  arguments  in  such  eloquent 
language,  that  it  almost  bewilders  common  minds.  He  possesses  an  host  of 
warm  friends  who  are  proud  of  his  regard,  his  enlightened  christian  virtue 
and  inflexible  integrity  of  character. 

Such  is  a  brief  sketch  of  the  life  and  character  of  Alexander  II.  Stephens, 
the  Vice  President  elect  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  The  selection  of  such 
men  as  Jefferson  Davis,  for  President,  and  Alexander  II.  Stephens,  for  Vice 
President  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  will  go  far  towards 
the  accomplishment  of  this  great  end.  Jefferson  Davis  is  a  statesman  of  great 
power,  combining  in  a  high  degree  the  various  qualifications  necessary  for  his 
new  position.  He  is  a  statesman  efficient  in  action,  cool  in  judgment,  firm  in 
purpose,  and  conscientious  in  his  opinion.  He  is  by  no  means  the  fire-eater 
he  has  been  represented  to  be,  in  the  Northern  press.  As  a  military  man.  he 
has  no  equal  in  our  country,  and  we  are  not  sure  that  he  has  any  superior  for 
the  first  office  in  the  gift  of  any  people  on  this  continent.  The  mild,  hut  linn 
course  pursued  by  these  great  statesmen,  since  the  establishment  of  the  South- 
ern Confederacy,  has  given  entire  satisfaction  to  the  people  comprising  this 
great  Republic.  I  have  only  given  a  few  particulars  concemiog  the  career  of 
these  great  statesmen.  They  will  occupy  an  important  place  in  the  future 
history  of  our  nation. 

With  such  patriotic  statesmen  as  Davis  and  Stephens,  at.  the  head  of  our 
government,  we  have  nothing  to  fear  o\i  their  part.  With  such  a  military 
chieftain  as  Jefferson  Davis,  to  command  the  grand  army  of  the  South,  and 
lead  them  on  to  victory,  Abraham  Lincoln  can  never  conquer.  Davis  has 
seen  too  many  bloody  fields  of  strife  to  be  frightened  by  the  boasting  hire- 
lings of  the  Lincoln  dynasty.  When  the  South  is  conquered.  Davis  and  two 
thirds  of  the  freemen  of  these  Confederate  States  will  have  filled  a  soldier's 
bloody  grave;  and  the  sun  of  liberty  .'-hall  have  forever  set  in  the  sunny  land 
of  the  South. 


CONCLUDING  HEM  A  RKS. 

I  have  now  given  my  readers  a  tch  of  some  of  the  mighty  events 

which  have  taken  place  in  our  Country  during  the  memorable  year,  1861. 
These  sketches  are  short  and  imperfect,  but  I  hope  they  contain  many  facta 
that  are  not  generally  known  by  our  own  countrymen.  I  did  not  ex] 
make  anything  worthy  of  the  "name  of  a  hook  of  history,  but  merely  to  col- 
lect a  few  facts  and  pii!  them  together  as  a  book  of  reference  Perhaps  very 
few  are  aware  how  difficult  it  is  to  collect  much  that  c*B  be  relied  on,  as  true, 


30  HISTORY  OF  TlIK  REVOLUTION. 


concerning  these  great  battles,  which  have  so  lately  taken  place  in  our  Coun- 
try. There  are  so  many  different  accounts  riven  by  different  persona — ona 
contradicting  another.  It  is  almost  impossible  for  two  persons  to  see  any- 
thiagjust  alike.  Time  alone  will  reveal  the  facta  That  the  battles  of  L861, 
were  great,  no  one  will  deny.  The  Southerners  gained  some  of  the  most 
signal  victories  of  modern  times.  The  justice  of  our  cause  gave  our  troops  a 
daring  spirit  of  bravery,  that  never  surrenders  while  life  remains. 

The  hand  of  an  overruling  Providence  was  with  us  in  our  struggle,  and 
whenever  He  supports  a  cause,  no  earthly  power  can  prevail  against  it.  The 
Republic  of  the  Confederate  States  is  now  a  fixed  fact,  and  she  is  d. 
soon  to  take  her  place  among  the  nations  of  the  earth  as  a  sovereign  and  inde- 
pendent government  Our  Republic  will  shortly  be  recognized  by  European 
powers,  if  not  already  done. 

She  has  sent  Mason  and  Slidell  as  Ministers  to  the  Courts  of  France  and 
Great  Britain,  and  we  have  every  reason  to  believe  they  will  be  received  and 
accredited  as  such  at  these  Courts.     So  soon  as  this  event  takes  place,  our 

ndence  will  be  acknowledged,  nnd  the  name  of  the  Confederate    5 
of  America  will  be  enrolled  among  the  independent  nations  of  the  earth. 

I  must  close  these  sketches  with  the  year  18G1.  Should  they  meet  the 
approbation  of  the  public  and  prove  of  any  value  as  a  book  of  reference,  on 
which  to  found  a  more  general  and  correct  history  of  our  struggle,  I  shall 
begin  with  the  year  1862,  to  prepare  other  sketches  of  the  mighty 
that  may  transpire  during  the  gloomy  days  and  bloody  scenes,  of  it, 
may  be,  a  more  memorable  year  than  the  one  we  have  just  passed    through. 

I  fondly  hope,  before  the  close  of  another  year,  our  independence  may  be 
established,  and  peace  restored  to  our  now  bleeding  Country.  Then  shall  the 
brave  soldiers,  who  have  gone  forth  to  defend  their  rights,  return  to  the  bo- 
som of  their  families  and  quiet  homes,  there  to  enjo)'  that  peace  and  pros- 
perity of  freemen,  under  a  wise  and  well  regulated  government  May  this 
happy  day  be  not  far  distant. 

"  Then  welcome  soldier,  welcome  home, 
Here's  a  father's  hand  to  press  thee — 
J  I' re's  a  mother's  heart  to  bless  thee — 
Here's  a  brother's  will  to  twine 
Joys  fraternal  close  with  thine ; 
A  wife  or  sister's  earnest  love, 
Equalled  only  but  by  that  above ; 
Welcome  soldier,  welcome  home, 
Here  to  spend  thy  days  to  come." 


THE  END. 


A  CHRONOLOGICAL  RECORD 

Of  some  of  the  most  important  events  since  the  6th  Nov.  1S60. 

Nov.  Gth. — Abraham  Lincoln  elected  President  of  the  United  States  by  a 
sectional  vote — receiving  no  votes  in  the  Southern  States — and  every  vote  in 
the  North,  save  three  in  New  Jersey. 

Nov.  19th. — A  detachment  of  State  troops  sent  to  guard  the  Arsenal  at 
Charleston.  South  Carolina. 

Dec.  20th. — South  Carolina  passed  the  Ordinance  of  Secession  by  a  Con- 
vention of  delegates.  The  same  day  Caleb  Gushing  was  sent  by  the  Presi- 
dent to  South  Carolina  on  a  confidential  mission. 

Dec.  26th. — Major  Anderson,  commander  of  the  United  States  troops  mov- 
ed all  his  forces  from  Fort  Moultrie  to  Sumter,  with  his  munitions  of  war. 

Dec.  27th. — The  State  troops  of  South  Carolina  took  possession  of  Fort 
Moultrie  and  Castle  Pinckney. 

1801.  Jan.  9th. — The  State  of  Mississippi  passed  an  Ordinance  of  Secession. 

Jan.  11th. — The  State  of  Alabama  passed  an  Ordinance  of  Secession. 

Jan.  19th. — Georgia  passed  an  Ordinance  of  Secession. 

Jan.  25th. — Louisiana  passed  an  Ordinance  of  Secession. 

Jan.  31st. — The  Mint  and  Custom  House  of  New  Orleans  taken  by  the 
State  troops. 

Feb.  1st.— Texas  Convention  passed  an  Ordinance  of  Secession. 

Feb.  4th. — This  will  ever  be  a  memorable  day  in  the  future  history  of  our 
Country.  The  Confederate  Congress  met  at  Montgomery,  Alabama,  and  on 
the  same  day  a  peace  Congress  met  at  Washington,  but  failed  to  accomplish 
anything  for  the  South. 

Feb.  8th.— The  States  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama  and 
Louisiana,  formed  a  Provisional  Government  and  adopted  the  Constitution. 

Feb.  9th. — Jefferson  Davis  and  A.  II.  Stephens  elected  by  delegates  as  Pre- 
sident and  Vice-President  of  the  Confederate  States. 

Feb.  18th. — President  Davis  inaugurated  at  Montgomery.  Alabama. 

Feb.  23rd. — The  people  of  Texas  ratify  the  Ordinance  of  Secession. 

March  2nd.— Texas  admitted  among  the  Confederate  States. 

March  4th.  -Abraham  Lincoln  inaugurated  President  of  the  United  States. 

March  11th.— A  permanent  Constitution  of  the  Confederate  States  adopted. 

April  12th. — Bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter. 

April  14th.— Major  Anderson  evacuated  Sumter  by  permission  of  General 
egard.  Also,  Lincoln  issued  his  proclamation,  calling  for  75,000  troops 
to  crush  the  rebellion  in  the  South. 

April  17th. — Virginia  Convention  in  secret  session,  passed  an  ordinance  of 
Secession,  subject  to  ratification  by  the  people. 

May  6th. — The  State  of  Arkansas  passed  an  Ordinance  of  Secession  and 
joined  the  Confederacy. 

May  7th.— Virginia  admitted  into  the  Confederacy. 

May  20th.— The  State  of  North  Carolina  passed  an  Ordmance  of  Secession 
and  joined  the  Confederacy. 

May  21st — The  seat  of  government  removed  from  Montgomery  to  Rich- 
mond. Virginia 

M  v  24th.  —The  heroic  Jackson  shot  Colonel  Ellsworth  of  the  New  York 
Zouaves,  in  defence  of  his  rights  and  property  in  his  own  house,  at  Alexan- 
dria, Virginia. 

June  loth.— The  great  battle  of  Bethel,  Virginia,  was  fought  and  a  victory 
gained  by  the  Confederates. 


32 


history  of  Tin:  revolt: II. 'N. 


June  13th. — A  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  by  the  recommendation  of  Pre- 
side). •  I  . 
June  15th. — G  racuated  Earner's  Ferry. 

16th. — Skirmish  at  Vi 
"      I  - 

26th — The  people  Ol  Tennessee  by  an  aet  of  Legislature  declare  them- 
-  out  ol  the  Union. 
Jnly  12th— Skirmish  at  Ettcfa  Mountain,  Virginia. 

13th.-  ett  killed  at  Carrick'a  K-rd,  Virginia. 

'     18th. — Skirmish  i 

l  3th.— Bat  -  nia. 

20th — <  kmfedi  Kiclnnond. 

21st — Q-randB  Manassas  Plains,  Virginia.  t 

"     22d.—  .  emy  continue  their  hasty  retreat  in  terror  through 

Alexandria  towards  Washin 

July  28th— Day  ol"  thanksgiving  in  gratitude  for  the  victory  of  Mai 

lak   Hill  near  Springfield,   Missouri,   where 
the  Yankee.  Lyon,  was  killed. 

.--An  act  passed  in  Congress  admitting  Missouri  into  the  Con- 
federacy. 

Aug.  27th. — Bombardment  of  the  Forts  at  Battens  Inlet  on  the  coast  of 
North  Carolina. 

20th — Col.  Mulligan  with  3,500  federal   troops  surrendered  to  Gen. 
at  Lexington,  Mo.,  after  a  Beige  of  several  days. 
.  9th. — Battle  ol  Santa  Rosa  Island. 
21st— Great  battle  of  Leesburg,  Virginia,  where  Gen.  Evans  of  the 
Confedi  victory,  and  CoL  Baker  on  the  enemy's  aide,  was 

slain,  and  nearly  all  his  command  killed  or  taken  prisoners. 

Oct.  20th. — The  Federal  Armada  Bailed  from  Fortress  Monroe  on  the  South- 
ern expedition  under  the  command  of  Hag  officer,  S.  F.  Dupont 
Nwv.  1st — A  heavy  Btorm  wrecks  a  large  number  of  (heir  vessels. 
Nov.  6th-  Davis  and  A.  II.  Stephens  elected  by  the  people  Presi- 

dent and  Vice  President  foi  ,  without  opposition. 

Nov.  7th. — The  bombardment  and  capture  ol    the  Forts  of  Fort  Loyal.  S. 

Carolina.    Also,  the  battle  ol  Belmont,  near  Columbus,  Ky..  where  the  Con- 
federates under  Generals  Folk  and  Pillow,  routed  the  enemy. 

.  8th. — The  Confederate  Mi  '  [ason  and  Shdell,  sent  to  repi 

.eminent  in    France    and    England,  were    Seized    on  board  the  British 

■  .unci-.  Trent,  by  Gapt  Wilkes  of  the  United  States,  and  confined  as 
i    in  Fori  Warren,  by  order  of  the  Lincoln,  government 
Nov.  9th. — Raikoa  burned  in  Tennessee  by  the  enemy. 

"     15th. — Lay  of  Fasting  and  Prayer  appointed  by  the  President 
"     20th, — A  Provi  rernmenl  formed  in  Kentucky. 

"     22d  and  23d.— Bombardment  at  Pensacola,  Florida. 
"     25th — Missouri  admitted  into  the  Confederacy. 
.— Lattleol  Alleghany  Mountain,  Virginia. 
14th— Great  fire  in  Charleston.  South  Carolina. 
"     20th. — The  battle  of  DrainsviMb,  Virginia. 

M     21st — Alfred  Ely,  membei  ol  LincoTn'a  Congress,  taken  prisoner  in 
Virginia,  was  exchanged  for  C.  J.  Faulkner,  of  Virginia 

Lee.  29th. — A  running  fight  near  Newport,  between  Cant.  Lynch  of  the 
Confederate  Navy  and  several  gun  boats  ol  the  enemy.  Capt.  Lynch  escaped 
without  injury  to  Seawell's  Point  batteries. 


